Xavier Samuel and Sonal Sehgal have been cast as the leads in The Great Departure, a film directed by Pierre Filmon, who was nominated for the Camera d’Or. The film is currently in post-production and was shot entirely in India. The script, written by Sehgal during the lockdown, was initially titled Travellers.
The plot explores themes of patriarchy through the story of a man and woman who unexpectedly meet in Varanasi. As they embark on a road trip together, their very different life experiences shape their developing relationship. Samuel (known for Twilight: Eclipse) and Sehgal (from Aashayein) star as the lead characters.
Sonal Sehgal, reflecting on the script, said, “Growing up in a patriarchal society, yet having parents who encouraged my independence, I often found myself caught between societal expectations and my upbringing. Cinema became a way for me to express this conflict.”
The Great Departure also marks a significant moment for KVR Productions, the Indian production company led by Arvind Reddy. The company, founded by the grandson of the late South Indian director KV Reddy, is using this film as a platform for a relaunch. Arvind Reddy shared, “The themes of patriarchy and the road trip genre in this script really resonated with me. We made sure to maintain gender parity in all aspects of the production.”
Xavier Samuel, who has appeared in films such as Blonde (with Ana de Armas), Adore (with Robin Wright and Naomi Watts), and Love and Friendship (starring Kate Beckinsale), expressed his admiration for the script, saying, “I was moved by Sonal’s writing and its focus on life in India, especially the challenges faced by women. The film has a big heart, full of drama and romance. It’s about two people from different worlds finding common ground and falling in love—a tribute to those serendipitous encounters that change our lives.”
Filmon, making his first film in India, praised the entire team: “From the cast and crew to the drivers, security personnel, assistants, and cooks, this dream team was incredibly well-organized, allowing us to bring the creative vision to life with a fantastic script.”