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Menik Gooneratne, Nikesh Patel and Saagar Shaikh will headline “ Written in the Stars ,” a romantic comedy set within Melbourne’s Sri Lankan community and based on Su Dharmapala’s bestselling novel “The Wedding Season.”
Production is set to begin in Melbourne next month, with Blue Fox Entertainment handling worldwide sales at the Cannes Film Market .
Gooneratne — whose credits include “ Pluribus ” and “Mortal Engines” — plays Shani, a woman who turns to Vedic astrology to find a compatible partner and lands in a love triangle between her college best friend Rohan, played by Patel, and a dashing newcomer named Bhatiya, played by Shaikh.
Fawzia Mirza, who directed on Hulu’s “Deli Boys,” will helm and executive produce from Gooneratne’s screenplay, which was selected for the Blacklist’s 2021 CAPE List recognizing top scripts from Asian writers. The film is produced by Leanne Tonkes, Melissa Russo, Jenni Tosi and Gooneratne for Sense and Centsability, Andria Wilson Mirza for Baby Daal Prods. and Marc Tetreault and Jason Levangie for Shut Up & Colour Pictures.
The Australian-Canadian co-production is backed by Screen Australia, in association with Telefilm Canada. Maslow Entertainment will distribute in Australia, with Mongrel Media handling Canada.
Patel is best known for his lead role opposite Rose Matafeo in BBC/HBO Max’s “Starstruck” and is set to return for the third season of Amazon thriller “The Devil’s Hour.” Shaikh currently stars as Raj Dar in Hulu’s “Deli Boys” — Season 2 premieres May 28 — and previously appeared in Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel” on Disney+ before reprising the role in “The Marvels.” Gooneratne is attached to “Prawn Curry Christmas,” which is the 2025 West Coast Visions recipient, and is slated for production in 2026.
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