Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 17: Bollywood actors Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre have begun shooting for an upcoming web series in the national capital, inspired by one of India’s most chilling true-crime cases — the 1978 Ranga-Billa murders. Directed by Paatal Lok and Pari fame Prosit Roy, the series delves into the shocking abduction and murder of siblings Sanjay and Geeta Chopra that gripped the nation and reshaped child safety laws in India.
According to sources close to the project, the series is being developed with utmost sensitivity and a focus on authenticity. “The research team has spent months studying the case in detail. The storyline follows the events leading up to and following the crime, capturing the emotional and legal aftermath that left a lasting scar on Delhi,” the source told.
The perpetrators, Kuljeet Singh alias Ranga and Jasbir Singh alias Billa, had originally intended to steal a vehicle but ended up kidnapping the two teenagers, leading to a tragic sequence of events that culminated in their brutal deaths. The crime sparked national outrage and marked a turning point in the discourse around juvenile protection in India.
Ali Fazal, who is currently balancing multiple demanding roles, said that working on this real-life inspired series has pushed him creatively. “This project is emotionally raw and intense. Switching between Rakht Brahmand — a period epic — and this hard-hitting crime thriller has been a challenge, but it’s also been invigorating,” Fazal said.
The actor, known for his work in Mirzapur and international projects like Victoria & Abdul, will also feature in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life alongside Kamal Haasan, as well as the Hollywood feature Rule Breakers, a story about inspiring young women. He is also part of Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino and Lahore 1947.
Meanwhile, Sonali Bendre, who returned to the spotlight with The Broken News, is expected to bring a powerful performance to this gritty narrative. The team is filming across various iconic locations in Delhi, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of the late 1970s while shedding light on a case that continues to haunt the nation.
Though the makers have yet to release an official announcement regarding the plot, the show is expected to premiere on a major streaming platform later this year.