Nawazuddin Siddiqui to Star as Delhi Street Detective in ‘Kabootar’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui will lead *Kabootar*, the debut feature by writer-director Ishan Sharma, as Mehboob, a street detective in Old Delhi. The India-France-Norway co-production is set amid the area’s ageing architecture and follows Mehboob as he secretly reads letters addressed to a Djinn to find clients; the project’s international backing could help bring the story to audiences beyond India.
Mehboob’s path crosses with Naoko, a Japanese tourist carrying a painful past, and Ruby, a child searching for his parents. Filming is scheduled to begin in Delhi in early 2027, with Nikhil Chaudhary producing for MDC Filmworks and Rohit Saxena co-producing in India. The film has been selected for several market showcases, including Film Bazaar in Goa and the European Film Market in Berlin.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui will play a street detective in *Kabootar*.
- The film is a co-production between India, France and Norway.
- Filming is due to start in Delhi in early 2027.
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Nawazuddin Siddiqui is an Indian actor known for roles in films and television. Old Delhi, the historic part of India’s capital, is known for its crowded streets and ageing buildings. In the film, Siddiqui plays Mehboob, who earns money by secretly reading letters people address to a Djinn, a spirit in Islamic and other regional folklore.
Mehboob’s story connects him with Naoko, a Japanese tourist, and Ruby, a child looking for his parents. The film is written and directed by Ishan Sharma, and is being made with production partners from India, France and Norway. International co-productions bring together companies from different countries and can help films reach audiences in more than one market.