EXCLUSIVE: Elvis actress Natasha Bassett and Bollywood star Abhay Deol have landed the lead roles in indie romantic comedy Don’t You Be My Neighbor!.
The film will portray the unlikely connection between Jay (Deol) and Emily (Bassett), who have vastly different perspectives on love and life. As they work through their contrasting beliefs and life experiences, they are challenged to confront their preconceptions and open their hearts to unexpected possibilities, per the synopsis.
Harry Grewal is directing from a script by David Lambertson. Grewal produces through his Grewal Films International banner alongside production partner Donna Grewal. Raman Palta and Payal Palta produce through their Palta Film Production label, and Justin Cherubini is the executive producer.
Principal photography is set to begin and and around Seattle next month.
“We are excited to bring this lighthearted and thought-provoking story to life,” said Grewal. “Abhay Deol and Natasha Bassett bring their immense talent and dedication to the lead roles, making them perfect for these characters.”
Producer Raman Palta added that the film would “resonate with audiences as it delves into the heartache of losing love and the joy of finding it again,” saying: “It’s a story that needs to be told, and we are thrilled to be working with such an exceptional team.”
Australian actress Bassett played Dixie Locke, Elvis Presley’s first girlfriend, in Baz Lurhmann’s Elvis and portrayed Britney Spears in 2017 Lifetime movie, Britney Ever After. She also has credits for Operation Buffalo, a comedy-drama miniseries for the ABC in Australia and has had roles in 12 Mighty Orphans, The Pale Door and Spy Intervention.
Deol is known best for Hindi-language films such as comedy Dev.D, which marked his breakout role back in 2009. He has also starred in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Happy Bhag Jayegi and Road, Movie, and had a role in 2019 Tamil-language superhero film Hero. Last year, he starred in Netflix’s Trial by Fire, the miniseries Trial By Fire from writers Prashant Nair and Kevin Luperchio about a pair of grieving parents fighting for justice after the real-life Uphaar cinema fire, which killed 59 people in Delhi back in 1997.
Deol is represented by Artist International Group and Bassett by Shanahan Management.
