Radhika Apte, who was last seen in PadMan with Akshay Kumar, has now signed a Hollywood film. She will step into the shoes of World War II heroine, Noor Inayat Khan, who is also known as Nora Baker. She was the first female wireless operator and British spy, who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France to aid the French Resistance. Her services to Jews through the Special Operations Executives unit made her Britain’s first Muslim war heroine. Noor was posthumously awarded the George Cross, UK’s highest civilian decoration. Tentatively titled, Miss Atkins’ Army, the film will have a mix of English, French and German. Indian actor Dev Patel will be seen in a lead role.
Talking about the movie Radhika said, “It’s an extremely interesting role. Many Indians were a part of the British Army but their stories remained unheard. Noor’s father was an Indian Muslim and she was a pacifist. So it’s not a case of typical casting. It was an inspiring movement that brought together many worlds in different ways.” The film also features Batman Begins’ actor Linus Roache and River actor Rossif Sutherland. Radhika animatedly says, “It’s the beginning of what seems like a great experience. The cast is brilliant and I’m really excited.”
Radhika, who is married to a London-based composer and violist Benedict Taylor, says she has no intention of ever leaving India. “Every film that I do outside my country only generates the kind of work that I want to pursue. So, I’m happy exploring different stories,” she says. Lydia Dean Pilcher will direct and co-produce the World War drama. Radhika is also part of British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom’s The Wedding Guest alongside Dev Patel.
