Uzma Jalaluddin's Hana Khan Carries On to be adapted into film by Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios
Uzma Jalaluddin's romantic comedy novel Hana Khan Carries On is being adapted into film by Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios.
Hana Khan Carries On is a "meet-cute" story set against the backdrop of the immigrant experience. Hana is an aspiring radio host who is working at her family's halal restaurant. When her aunt and a cousin come to town, and a rival restaurant opens in their neighbourhood, Hana's life is upended and family secrets are revealed.
The book explores the romantic attraction — as well as the generational tension — between Hana and Aydin, the attractive owner of the rival restaurant.
"I'm still pinching myself. Excited to see Hana & her crew on the screen, and also to work with you and your excellent team," Jalauddin wrote on Twitter.
"Speechless. This actually happened. Dream big, my friends. Alhamdulillah."
Kaling tweeted back, "We feel so lucky to adapt your amazing book!"
I'm still pinching myself. Excited to see Hana & her crew on the screen, and also to work with you and your excellent team! <a href="https://t.co/U7fZyKKBlJ">https://t.co/U7fZyKKBlJ</a>
—@UzmaWrites"With stories that are set in regionalized or marginalized communities, I find that a lot of the tension comes, with justification, from parents who are demanding things for their children," said Uzma Jalaluddin, the author of the book, in her interview with The Next Chapter.
Jalaluddin is a teacher, parenting columnist and author based in Ontario. She also wrote the novel Ayesha At Last.
Kaling and Jessica Kumai Scott will co-produce the book-to-screen adaptation via Kaling International, with Sahar Jahani writing the script.
Kaling is the star and creator of the comedy series The Mindy Project, author of the New York Times bestseller Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and co-creator of Netflix's popular series Never Have I Ever.
Jahani was a writer for TV series including 13 Reasons Why and The Bold Type. She was also a fellow of the 25th Annual Project Involve Program for Film Independent.
