Anupam Kher is making his directorial debut with the upcoming film Tanvi: The Great, a project he has been working on for some time. Last March, he first teased the film on social media and, just a few days ago, unveiled its first look. However, the identity of the lead actress remained a mystery. Today, the actor-director revealed that Shubhangi Dutt will play the titular role of Tanvi. He shared a heartfelt video on Instagram introducing Shubhangi as Tanvi, showcasing her portrayal of a young girl who cherishes life’s simple moments. Along with the video, Anupam shared insights into the casting process and expressed his admiration for her talent.
Anupam explained that the journey to finding the perfect Tanvi took nearly three years. The idea for the film came to him four years ago during a conversation, and he was determined to discover Tanvi through his acting school. However, the search was no easy task. Anupam emphasized how challenging it was to find an actress who embodied the rare qualities he was looking for—goodness, innocence, charm, wonder, humor, and purity. After months of searching, he found Shubhangi during a masterclass at the school.
In a moment of inspiration, Anupam asked the students to close their eyes and remain still. That’s when he noticed Shubhangi’s serene and peaceful presence, which struck him as the essence of Tanvi. When he spoke to her, Shubhangi revealed that she was in her “dreamworld,” a place where she felt at home and safe.
Anupam encouraged her to carry the authenticity, grounded nature, and honesty of Tanvi with her as she embarked on this new journey. He expressed his excitement to see her embody the character and praised her “magical” presence, both on screen and in real life. He concluded by sharing his belief that the world will soon recognize Shubhangi as ShubhangiTheGreat. To him, as her director, she is already nothing less than extraordinary.
Tanvi: The Great is a collaboration between Anupam Kher Studios and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), with an Oscar-winning musical score by M. M. Keeravani.
