Bipasha Basu is making a comeback to acting after several years away from the spotlight. The actress has reportedly begun filming for a new crime thriller series titled Barabanki, directed by Hansal Mehta. This gripping series is set in 1984 and is inspired by the real-life account of retired IPS officer Aloke Lal, documented in his book, The Barabanki Narcos: Busting India’s Most Notorious Drug Cartel.
The storyline follows a significant operation led by Aloke Lal to take down an opium cartel operating in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh. Along with Bipasha, the series also features Sunny Kaushal and actor Vishal Jethwa, although specific details about their roles have not been disclosed yet.
Sources indicate that Bipasha started shooting for Barabanki last month in Mumbai. This project will mark her first collaboration with director Hansal Mehta, a name she has long wanted to work with. The series has been described as an in-depth look at the challenges faced by an IPS officer and his team as they confront powerful drug cartels.
While specifics about Bipasha’s character remain a mystery, it is expected that her role will have a significant link to the main story. After being approached by Mehta, she quickly agreed to be a part of the project.
Reports suggest that Bipasha will showcase a new look in this series, stepping away from her earlier appearances. Additionally, the narrative will likely delve into the broader network that supported Aloke Lal during his fight against the drug trade.
Aloke Lal dedicated 37 years to public service, eventually retiring as the Director General of Police. His career included critical efforts to dismantle the Barabanki Narcotics Cartel and lead operations against armed bandits and counter-militancy efforts in various regions.
Lal has shared many of his professional experiences in his co-authored book, On the Trail of Thugs and Thieves, which chronicles significant burglary investigations.
Bipasha Basu is well-known for her performances in films like Raaz, Jism, Dhoom 2, No Entry, and Omkara. Her last feature film was Alone, released in 2015. After her OTT debut in the thriller Dangerous in 2020, she took a break from acting, especially after welcoming her daughter, Devi, in 2022.
