Bollywood director Vikas Bahl is gearing up to remake La Famile Belier in Hindi with Reliance in Hindi. He will be partnering with Reliance for the project.
A source close to the development told Pinkvilla that Reliance acquired the remake rights of the film around six years ago. "It's a slice-of-life film, wherein the daughter is the only hearing member of the family, as her parents and brother are deaf. It is yet to get a title but the makers have locked Vikas Bahl to direct the film."
"The team feels that the story of La Famille Belier is palatable for the Hindi-speaking audience. The team has been working on an adaptation draft for a long time and things are now locked. The casting is underway and the makers are in talks with a young actress to play the lead," added the source.
The 2014 film tells the story of sixteen-year-old Paula who is an indispensable interpreter for the family on a daily basis. She is crucial to the running of the family farm. Her life changes when a music teacher discovers her gift for singing. In order to secure a good career and a college degree, the teacher encourages her to audition for a prestigious college in Paris. The movie follows her journey toward adulthood because going to college means she will have to leave her family.
It was the second-most successful film at the French box office in 2014. Being a commercial success, the film meant a great deal to the deaf community, especially in regard to French Sign Language. Deaf French journalist Marylène Charrière wrote that the movie promoted FSL as a real language which is contrary to popular belief.
An English-language remake, CODA, premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Locke & Key fame actress Emilia Jones played the lead role. The Apple TV+ project won three Oscars - Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.