Fawad Khan is first choice for Bollywood adaptation of this new novel

Indian author Pankaj Dubey has his eyes on Fawad Khan for the role of a Pakistani man in the upcoming film adaptation of his newly launched book Love Curry.

Speaking to the press, Dubey said that the book features three male characters — "boys from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh" — and that he wanted Pakistani hearthrob Fawad Khan to play one of them. He named Sushant Singh Rajput as his choice for the Indian in his film. For the heroine's role, he has his eyes set on Fawad's Kapoor & Sons co-star Alia Bhatt.

About the film adaptation's status, Dubey said, "I have already started scripting the film and thinking about the casting."

Love Curry follows the three men originating from different countries as they go about life in the UK and navigate love and cultural identity.

Though the book is a light read, when asked what made him bring the element of identity struggle of South Asians in a western country, Dubey said: "I lived in London for quite some time for my study and work. I have seen how people are narrating their story of identity struggle."

"Though the time has changed drastically and thanks to the internet, people know that India is not a country of snake charmers anymore, there are snob people with disinterest and misconception regarding our culture."

"But at the same time, I do not want to treat the issue with so much seriousness, rather wanted to focus on how these three guys, who are otherwise fighting against each other as Indian and Pakistani unite as one in a western country," Dubey added.