Gurinder Chadha, most known for her coming-of-age girl power classic Bend It Like Beckham and her Bollywood-inspired Jane Austen adaptation Bride and Prejudice, has been chosen to collaborate on an original musical feature with Disney, according to a Deadline exclusive.

Much about the plot is still unknown and is held close to the chest. Thankfully, Deadline has given a few breadcrumbs to help speculate what the musical will focus on. The film will have a historical element as the plot is based on a real-life, dynamic Indian princess. Chadha has an affinity for coming-of-age stories with empowered, paradigm-breaking female leads, so audiences can probably expect to see these themes present in her upcoming film. This will be her first project with the entertainment mogul.

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Outside of plot details, the film is set to be directed and produced by Chadha, who wears multiple hats for this production. Her husband and longtime collaborator, screenwriter Paul Mayeda Berges, has also been tapped for the project and will be co-writing the screenplay with Chadha. In addition, Lindy Goldstein (The Nutcracker and The Four Realms) is producing the upcoming feature through her eponymous production company, which is known for championing original stories in film and television. This project also falls under the umbrella of Sean Bailey, the President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.

Gurinder Chadha is a Pioneer of Strong Female Leads In Comedy

     Paramount Pictures

Gurinder Chadha has an impressive filmmaking career spanning over 30 years. She started in television in 1989 with I’m British but…for Channel 4. However, her boundary-pushing, female-centric films have skyrocketed her career to international acclaim. Her most recognizable feature, Bend It Like Beckham (2002), starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, was the highest British financed and distributed film in the U.K. until Slumdog Millionaire’s box office success in 2008. The film holds critical and commercial acclaim both domestically and internationally.

Despite being marketed as a “chick flick” in the U.S., Bend It Like Beckham was a trailblazer in showcasing strong, empowered female leads who went against the grain, quickly becoming a staple coming-of-age film that withstands the test of time. In addition, Chadha has also used filmmaking for social commentary, touching on topics such as prejudice, classism, amalgamation, traditionalism, immigrant issues, and more, all while tying in her signature comedic flair. This common thread can be found in many of her films, including her Bollywood-inspired Jane Austen remake Bride and Prejudice, What’s Cooking?, Bhaji On The Beach, and the international best-selling book, Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging.