Matchbox Shots Acquires Screen Rights to “The Gurugram School Murder”
India’s production company Matchbox Shots has acquired the screen rights to “The Gurugram School Murder,” a true-crime account by journalist Leena Dhankhar detailing the 2017 killing of a seven-year-old boy at an elite school in Gurugram. The adaptation, set to be directed by Dikssha Jyote Routray, aims to shed light on the case, which has become a symbol of the pressures faced by children in urban India.
The Tragic Case That Shook Gurugram
The incident occurred on September 8, 2017, when a child known publicly as “Prince” was found with his throat slit inside a school bathroom. Initial investigations led to the detention of an innocent school bus conductor, but the Central Bureau of Investigation later arrested a fellow student, who was accused of committing the crime to delay an exam. The case drew widespread attention due to its brutality and the involvement of minors.
Leena Dhankhar, a crime journalist, documented the case in her book, which serves as the foundation for the upcoming adaptation. “What happened in this case is every parent’s worst nightmare,” Routray said. “It is a tragedy that also unravels dark truths about the pressures shaping young children in contemporary urban India. Our commitment is to tell this story with the carefully researched nuance it deserves.”
A Family’s Fight for Justice
The project has the support of Prince’s father, who has remained vocal in his pursuit of accountability. “There has not been a single day when we have not remembered or missed him,” he said. “Our fight has been painfully long and it will continue until the guilty receive the harshest punishment. We want the truth to reach more people so society understands our pain and ensures that those responsible are never spared.”
Dhankhar emphasized the emotional toll of the case, stating, “This is not just a crime story, but the story of a family’s pain and years of struggle for justice. Through this story, we hope more people understand the emotional devastation such incidents leave behind.”
About Matchbox Shots
Matchbox Shots, a Mumbai-based production house, is mentored by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. The company’s portfolio includes projects like *Andhadhun* and *IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack*. The team behind the Gurugram School Murder adaptation includes producers Sanjay Routray, Dikssha Jyote Routray, and Sarita Patil. The company’s upcoming war drama series *Operation Safed Sagar* is set for release on Netflix.
As the project moves forward, it promises to bring renewed attention to a case that continues to resonate with audiences and advocates for justice. The adaptation underscores the power of storytelling to amplify voices often overlooked in the pursuit of truth.