Matchbox Shots, an Indian production company, has secured the rights to adapt “The Gurugram School Murder,” a detailed account by crime journalist Leena Dhankhar. The book covers the tragic event from 2017 when a child was killed at a prestigious school in Gurugram.
The adaptation is based on Dhankhar’s coverage of one of India’s most notable criminal cases. On September 8, 2017, a seven-year-old boy publicly known as Prince was discovered with his throat slit in a school bathroom. Initially, local authorities wrongfully detained a school bus conductor. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation later arrested a fellow student, alleging that the murder was committed to delay an examination.
Dikssha Jyote Routray of Matchbox Shots is leading the adaptation effort.
“This case represents every parent’s worst fear,” Routray stated. “It is a tragedy that reveals dark truths about the pressures affecting young children in modern urban India. We are committed to telling this story with the depth and nuance it warrants.”
Leena Dhankhar emphasized, “This is not merely a crime story; it’s a narrative of a family’s pain and their prolonged fight for justice. We hope this story enlightens more people about the emotional wreckage such incidents cause. The family lives with their loss daily, and justice must be achieved without compromise.”
The project has the backing of Prince’s father, who is still pursuing justice in the case.
“We remember and miss him every single day,” Prince’s father expressed. “Our struggle has been arduously long, and it will persist until the guilty receive the most severe punishment. We want the truth to be known widely so society understands our suffering and ensures those responsible are never spared.”
Matchbox Shots, based in Mumbai, is guided by filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. The company is known for works like “Andhadhun,” “Scoop,” “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” and “Khauf.” Producers Sanjay Routray, Dikssha Jyote Routray, and Sarita Patil lead the company. Their upcoming war drama series, “Operation Safed Sagar,” is set to premiere on Netflix.
