By Fraser Dahdouh

A BOOK publisher based in Stroud is preparing for a surge of interest in one of its titles, after the story was adapted into a film starring Dame Judi Dench.

Brimscombe-based The History Press first published Victoria and Abdul by Shrabani Basu in 2010 and now the film version is set to be released on September 15 this year.

Victoria and Abdul tells the true story of how a young Indian Muslim servant went from being an assistant clerk at the Agra Central Jail to playing a central role at the heart of the British empire as a personal assistant and teacher to the Queen herself.

With 2017 being the UK-India year of culture, the film release has been timed perfectly, and the History Press expects to sell thousands of copies of the book as a result.

The screenplay has been adapted by Lee Hall – the writer of Billy Elliot, who also penned the film adaptation of War Horse.

Alongside Dame Judi in the high-profile cast are Eddie Izzard, Michael Gambon and Simon Callow, with Bollywood star Ali Fazal playing Abdul, while the film was directed by Stephen Frears - the man responsible for hits such as High Fidelity.

Shrabani Basu's book uncovered the fascinating tale of Empire from the lost diary of Abdul Karim and the letters and journals of Queen Victoria, including her previously untranslated Hindustani journals and never-before-seen Royal papers.

The relationship is said to reveal a side of the Queen not often reflected upon in history – not only warm, but deeply progressive and passionate.

The Empress of India defended her ‘Dear Abdul’ from the constant plots and attacks from the Royal Court until her death, when the Royal Household burned many of Abdul’s letters and he was sent back to India by the new King.

The History Press is the UK’s largest, dedicated history publisher.

The trailer to the film is available here.