At the grand unveiling of the 2026 slate at Prime Video Presents: India, Amazon Prime Video announced an ambitious new original feature titled Phoolan. The film will be written and directed by Richie Mehta and is set to explore a powerful chapter in the life of Phoolan Devi, one of India’s most enigmatic and controversial figures.
Rather than attempting a full biographical retelling, Phoolan will focus on a gripping 48-hour siege in the Chambal region. Surrounded by thousands of armed men, Devi is forced into a life-or-death confrontation that becomes a turning point in her journey. The narrative promises a tense, character-driven account of survival, resilience, and transformation—capturing a moment that helped shape her legend.
The project has an interesting backstory of its own. Producers Sharen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, and Kanwal Kohli of Namah Pictures had secured the rights to Devi’s autobiography and were keen on bringing the story to screen. They approached Richie Mehta, believing he was the ideal storyteller for such a nuanced subject. However, Mehta initially declined the offer, unsure about taking on a narrative of such scale and sensitivity.
Despite his initial hesitation, the producers remained persistent, continuing conversations with him over several years. Their belief in the project—and in Mehta’s ability to do justice to it—eventually paid off, with the filmmaker agreeing to come on board. His involvement adds significant weight to the film, given his reputation for handling real-life inspired stories with depth and authenticity.
The collaboration marks a reunion of sorts with the thematic space Mehta explored in Delhi Crime, which earned widespread acclaim for its grounded storytelling. With Phoolan, he now turns his lens toward a historical and deeply layered figure, promising a film that is as intense as it is thought-provoking. As anticipation builds, the project stands poised to deliver a compelling retelling that resonates with both Indian and global audiences.