Vishal Bhardwaj to direct Netflix's adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel 'Midnight's Children'

It was announced a while back that Netflix will be adapting Salman Rushdie’s celebrated novel ‘Midnight’s Children’. The streaming platform now also has a director to realise it. 

In an announcement made today, Netflix has revealed that Vishal Bhardwaj will helm the project and also executive produce it. Simran Sethi, director of international originals for Netflix said, “The scope and scale of Midnight’s Children can only be translated by a creator with an expansive vision, depth of storytelling, and a nuanced knowledge of bringing characters to life."

Simran added, "We couldn’t have imagined anyone other than Vishal Bhardwaj as the showrunner on this series and are honoured that he will steer the project.”

Midnight's Children follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who was born on the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, coinciding with India's independence. The book follows his life, every act of his, that in a way mirrors and reflects the course of the country's national affairs. 

On getting this opportunity, Vishal said, “The opportunity to translate one of the greatest works of literature in a medium that is accessible to millions of people around the world is incredible, and I’m delighted to partner with Netflix in bringing Midnight’s Children to life onscreen. I’m confident that taking this quintessentially Indian epic that transcends generations and genres, combined with the production values and creative freedom that Netflix offers, will contribute to an unforgettable series that is Indian at heart and global in reach.”

Vishal is best known as a director, writer, producer and composer across genres in Hindi cinema. He has adapted several global works of literature for the screen, including Macbeth (‘Maqbool’), Othello (‘Omkara’), Hamlet (‘Haider’) and ‘The Blue Umbrella’. He has got seven National Film Awards in India.