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Classic Serial: The Mumbai Chuzzlewits

Classic Serial: The Mumbai Chuzzlewits: Episode 1

The Mumbai Chuzzlewits

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Classic Serial, The Mumbai Chuzzlewits, Episode 1

Orphan Thomas befriends Mickey, grandson and heir of rich old miser Martin Chuzzlewit.

Orphan Thomas befriends the grandson and heir of rich old miser Martin Chuzzlewit. A Dickens classic reworked. Stars Roshan Seth.

By Ayeesha Menon

Sony award-winning writer Ayeesha Menon reworks Charles Dickens 'Martin Chuzzlewit' and sets it amongst the Catholic community in modern-day Mumbai, India. 

Convinced his relatives are after his money, miserly old recluse Martin Chuzzlewit (Roshan Seth), adopts orphan girl, Mary (Nimrat Kaur), to be his carer. As she will inherit nothing upon his death, he believes she will do her utmost to keep him in good health. But when his grandson Mickey (Zafar Karachiwala) falls in love with her, Martin's plans are thrown into disarray. Disinheriting him, Martin triggers a complex web of deceit, betrayal and manipulation as the extended family and hangers-on close in, in pursuit of his fortune.

Told from the point of view of orphan Thomas (Karan Pandit), an observer into the world of the Chuzzlewits, this is a fast-paced drama full of intrigue, romance, suspense and murder...

Thomas, an orphan, is apprentice to the scheming architect Pinto, a cousin to miserly old Martin Chuzzlewit, the richest landlord in Bandra. Drawn into the world of the Chuzzlewits, he forms a close friendship with the spirited Mickey, grandson of Martin and heir to the family fortune. When old Martin gets ill, Thomas witnesses attempts by family members to worm their way into his life and secure his fortune, while Mickey gives up everything in pursuit of love...

Ayeesha Menon is an award-winning writer who works extensively in film and radio. For BBC Radio 4 she has written several outstanding adaptations including: Q & A (Slumdog Millionaire) which won Gold for Best Drama at the Sony Radio Academy Awards; THE Cairo Trilogy, starring Omar Sharif, which won a Bronze at the Sony Awards; My Name is Red from the novel by Orhan Pamuk; and Six Suspects from the novel by Vikas Swarup. 

Cast:
Martin ..... Roshan Seth
Thomas ..... Karan Pandit
Mickey ..... Zafar Karachiwala
Pinto ..... Rajit Kapur
Mercy ..... Preetika Chawla
Charity ..... Ayeesha Menon
Anthony ..... Sohrab Ardeshir
Joseph ..... Nadir Khan
Mary ..... Nimrat Kaur
Mrs. Gomes ..... Radhika Mital
Louis ..... Rohit Malkani
Doctor ..... Shernaz Patel
Monty ..... Arghya Lahiri
Manek ..... Vivek Madan 
Young Mickey ..... Zaal Madon
Young Thomas ..... Nominath Ginsburg

Sound Recordist: Ayush Ahuja
Sound Design: David Chilton
Music: Sacha Puttnam
Producer and Casting: Nadir Khan

Producer: John Dryden 
A Goldhawk Essential Production for BBC Radio 4.

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Ayeesha Menon's reworking of Charles Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit set in India

Ayeesha Menon reworks Charles Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit and sets it amongst the Catholic community in modern-day Mumbai, India

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Episode 1

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