Frears to helm 'Bengali Detective'

FrearsBrit helmer Stephen Frears and scribe D.V. DeVincentis, who previously teamed on "High Fidelity" and "Lay the Favorite," are set to work together once again, as the duo are set to respectively direct and write Fox Searchlight's English-language feature adaptation of documentary "The Bengali Detective."Philip Cox directed the original. Native Voice Films' docu followed intrepid private eye Rajesh Ji as he explores Calcutta's criminal underworld while pursuing his dream to dance on Indian TV. Film took a look at modern India through the eyes of an unlikely hero.Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free banner will produce. Fox Searchlight execs Zola Mashariki and Richard Gold will oversee development for the studio.Frears, who has Oscar nominations for directing "The Queen" and "The Grifters," last directed the Gemma Arterton starrer "Tamara Drewe."DeVincentis, who co-wrote and appeared in the 1997 comedy "Grosse Pointe Blank" with John Cusack, recently adapted Bob Powers' novel "You Are a Miserable Excuse for a Hero" for producer Mark Gordon.Frears is repped by ICM, while UTA and Management 360 rep DeVincentis. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com