L-R: Fawzia Mirza, Menik Gooneratne, Caroline Pitcher, Sy Dharmapala and Leanne Tonkes. Photo by Sarah Enticknap.

Principal photography has begun in Melbourne on the feature film Written in the Stars.

Based on Su Dharmapala’s popular novel The Wedding Season and adapted for the screen by Melbourne’s own Menik Gooneratne, Written in the Stars is a heartwarming rom-com set in Melbourne’s vibrant Sri Lankan community.

Directed by Fawzia Mirza (The Queen of My Dreams), the film boasts an all-star South Asian cast led by Australian actor, Menik Gooneratne (Pluribus, Mortal Engines, Lion) Nikesh Patel (Starstruck, The Devil’s Hour) and Saagar Shaikh (Deli Boys, Ms Marvel).

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The supporting cast includes Victorian talent Maria Thattil (Empire City), Leah Vandenberg (The Let Down), Georgina Naidu (Troppo), Shapoor Batliwalla (Ice Road: Vengeance)Sunny S Walia (Shantaram), Sharon Johal (The Twelve), Vidya Rajan (Aunty Donna’s Coffee Café), Shamita Siva (Good Cop Bad Cop), YouTube star, Who Gives A Crap Co-Founder Jehan Ratnatunga, along with Yasmin Kassim (Anaconda), Canadian actor Swathi Umesh (Family Values) and newcomer Kiana Scire

An official co-production with Canada, Written in the Stars is produced by Leanne Tonkes (The Second), Melissa Russo (Together), Jenni Tosi (How To Stay Married s2), Andria Wilson Mirza (The Queen of My Dreams), Marc Tetreault (Sharp Corner, At The Place of Ghosts), and Jason Levangie (Sharp Corner, At The Place of Ghosts).

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The production will inject over $4 million into the Victorian economy and create an estimated 300 jobs for Victorian crew, local cast, and extras, including director of photographyMichael Lincoln, production designer Paddy Reardon, costume designer Shauna Lovisetto and makeup and hair designer Lizzie Sharp, with Australian casting by Alison Telford and Kate Leonard.

Written in the Stars is filming on location in and around Melbourne, including Keilor, Keilor East, Pascoe Vale, East Melbourne, South Melbourne and Melbourne CBD.

Written in the Stars is a Sense & Centsability, Baby Daal Productions and Shut Up & Colour Pictures Australian/Canadian Co-production. Major production investment fromScreen Australia, in association with Telefilm Canada. Financed in association with VicScreen. Local distribution by Maslow Entertainment in Australia and Mongrel Media in Canada. International sales by Blue Fox Entertainment.

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