Matchbox Shots, the Mumbai-based banner behind ‘Andhadhun’, ‘Monica Oh My Darling’ (Netflix) and ‘Scoop’ (Netflix), is backing ‘Shamed’, an official adaptation of Sarvijit Kaur Athwal’s memoir of the same name.
The book tells the true story of a British-Punjabi woman who mustered the courage to testify against her family in open court after witnessing her family conspiring to murder her sister-in-law. Her testimony led to Britain’s first murder conviction without a body.
For Matchbox Shots producer Sarita Patil, the project had a sense of urgency. “What attracted me to this story is that it exposes the insidious violence that lives beneath the surface of a ‘happy family’. But it is also a template for extraordinary resistance. This is not just a story of betrayal, but also a story of the courage of a woman against impossible odds,” says Patil. He sees Shamed as both a film and an advocacy, and believes the film has the potential to spark long-overdue conversations around domestic violence within South Asian communities around the world.
Director and screenwriter Deeksha Rootray will helm the feature film adaptation, which will be part of the WAVES Film Bazaar co-production market. Rootray worked as a creative producer on the Hindi films ‘Andhadhun’ (2018) and ‘Merry Christmas’ (2024), and apart from directing the short films ‘The Perfect Bride’ and ‘Red Velvet’, he has helmed numerous other films and series for Matchbox Shots over the years.
Matchbox Shots is actively seeking international co-producers through WAVES Film Bazaar. Approximately 25% of the budget has already been secured. “For Shamed, we will strategically leverage the co-production market, private equity, and domestic and international rebates to build a strong financial structure going forward,” Patil said.
The market will be the first official release for “Shamed,” which is in the final stages of script refinement with a goal of production in 2027. “In addition to our established works, we are deeply committed to nurturing and supporting emerging talent. At Matchbox, we provide a platform for new voices to break through, giving them an opportunity to shine and contribute to the future of storytelling,” Patil added.
WAVES Film Bazaar is a part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) market in Goa.
