There is music, murder and mystery. Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan mentored production house Matchbox Shots on Wednesday announced it has acquired the rights to the book, 'Who Killed Moosewala? The spiralling Story of violence in Punjab’ authored by crime journalist Jupinderjit Singh. On May 29 last year, six shooters waylaid Punjabi rapper Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, better known as Sidhu Moosewala, while he was in his jeep and shot him dead in Mansa district. According to the makers, the book peels back the "layers of the enigmatic Punjabi music industry, offering a spine-chilling account of crime, fame, and tragedy" in the life Moosewala. Author Jupinderjit Singh said there was a lot of interest from various production houses to adapt his book for the screen, but he was "really impressed" with the work of Matchbox Shots, known for films film Andhadhun, Monica O My Darling, and this year's Netflix series Scoop. "I am thrilled that they have taken the rights to the book to develop it further," Singh said in a statement. Sarita Patil of Matchbox Shots shared her perspective on the project, emphasizing the connection between the music industry and gang wars in Punjab. MATCHBOX SHOTS ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO ‘WHO KILLED MOOSEWALA?’… #SriramRaghavan-mentored #MatchboxShots - the production house behind #Andhadhun, #MonicaOMyDarling and #Scoop [series] - has acquired rights to the gripping book #WhoKilledMoosewala?, authored by crime journalist… pic.twitter.com/SYJ0pwRQGO — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) November 1, 2023 "We have always found the macabre relationship between the music industry and gang wars in Punjab extremely intriguing. With Jupinderjit's book 'Who Killed Moosewala?' we know we have a strong backbone for our story," Patil added. The project is led by Dikssha Jyote Routray of Matchbox Shots, who said the story is an "intricate interplay" of crime, fame, and music in Punjab, a narrative that "demands contemplation and understanding." The book delves into the "ominous influence of drugs and the eruption of violence driven by gangsters' growing dominance in Punjab" and is billed as a narrative that deep dives into painting a "comprehensive picture of the dark underbelly of an industry often glamorized but rarely understood." Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead at Punjab’s Jawaharke village of Mansa district on May 29 last year, a day after the Punjab government reduced his security cover, details of which were made public. It is unclear if the adaptation will be a movie or series. Further details on the project are awaited.
