Shooting underway on Basement with Danny Dyer

Written and directed by first time feature film-maker Asham Kamboj, it tells the story of five people who inadvertently enter an underground base and run into a nightmare scenario.

It is the first feature project to come out of Paperknife Productions, which is based at Pinewood studios and is co-owned by Kamboj and businessman turned producer Ish Jalal. Terry Stone’s Gateway Films is also onboard as associate producer.

Made on a budget of approximately $1m (£600,000), the film is entirely funded by private investors and Revolver Entertainment, who pre bought UK and Eire rights for the film. The project is due to be released in the UK next spring.

“[Revolver] just loved the script and were really excited about it,” said Jalal, who also had an offer from Sony Pictures, but chose Revolver because they guaranteed theatrical release.

The film is shooting for three weeks at Pinewood, and seven days on location in and around the studios. Post production will also take place at the studio.

Other cast members include Kierston Wareing, who was recently nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Fish Tank, Emily Beecham and Jimi Mistry.  

According to producer Jalal, Basement shows off a different side of Dyer. “He’s vulnerable, he cries. It’s not what you expect of Danny, and it’s been a real surprise to a lot of people working on the film. He’s really good.”

Meanwhile, Paperknife is currently looking for studio funding for their next project another psychological thriller, Kamera, which has been in development for three years and will also be directed by Kamboj.