Victoria & Abdul kneeling at a large statue of the Queen close to the Taj Mahal, talking to it and kissing its feet in respect. On 17 June 2016, it was reported that Judi Dench would play Queen Victoria in "Victoria & Abdul", a film based on the book of the same name by Shrabani Basu. Stephen Frears was set to direct. Dench had also portrayed Victoria in the 1997 film "Mrs Brown". On 5 August 2016, it was announced that Ali Fazal would play Victoria's confidant Abdul Karim, while the film would be co-produced by Working Title Films and BBC Films, and
Edward Ponsonby, 2nd Baron Sysonby film "Mrs Brown" – who was Private Secretary to Queen Victoria. His great-grandfather was badly wounded at the Battle of Waterloo, but survived to become General Sir Frederick Ponsonby. The sister who helped nurse him back to health was Lady Caroline, better known to history under her married name of Lady Caroline Lamb as the wife of the future Prime Minister Lord Melbourne and lover of the poet Lord Byron. Lady Caroline was also a key figure in the film "Lady Caroline Lamb" – played by Sarah Miles – in 1972. The father of the two siblings, Edward's great-great-grandfather, was