Dawn Images

Pakistani journalist and author Saba Imtiaz’s debut novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me is now set to be filmed with a reworked plot based in Delhi by the filmmakers of Bollywood flick ‘Airlift’.

The film is set to be shot in Delhi instead of Karachi, the actual setting of the novel where the protagonist Ayesha Khan recounts her everyday adventures as a reporter for a local newspaper.

The Mumbai Mirror reported that the film might be altered to fit the cityscape with a name change to ‘Delhi, you’re killing me’.

In an exchange over email with Dawn.com, Saba Imtiaz said that she was excited about the venture:

“I think it's very exciting to have your book adapted into a film, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it'll be set in Delhi, and how the adaptation works.”

The author, who has also penned the script for upcoming local film Dekh Magar Pyar Se, said the filmmakers would work to ensure the script appeals to an Indian audience.

Also read: Humaima's 'Dekh Magar Pyaar Say' to hit screens in August 2015

So how is it that a Pakistani book with a plot deeply rooted in Karachi did not end up being turned into a film locally? According to Saba, there was some interest in the idea, but it never panned out.

“I didn't approach anyone. A couple of people in Pakistan did mention they were interested, but it didn't go beyond that. My publishers handled the rights and negotiations,” she said.

The film's Producer Vikram Malhotra said that the hunt for the cast was already on.

"The story excited me just the way Queen had when Vikas Bahl had first narrated it to me. I have full faith that 'Karachi....' would translate into a film that will resonate with today's audience, especially women as they will see a slice of their lives in it! Work is on in full swing on adapting the book into a film and we will finalise the cast soon," Malhotra told the Mumbai Mirror.