MUMBAI: Principal photography has begun on Alcon Entertainment’s The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates and newcomer Quinton Aaron.

Filming started on 17 April on location in Atlanta, Georgia, under the direction of John Lee Hancock.

Hancock also adapted the screenplay from the best-selling book by Michael Lewis, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Gil Netter and Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing the film. Molly Smith, Erwin Stoff and Tim Bourne are serving as executive producers.

“This is truly a special project that reflects the best in people in a heartfelt and entertaining way. Because it is based upon a true story, its inspirational message cannot be easily overlooked. We are fortunate to have such an excellent cast to work with John Lee Hancock to bring this story to the screen,” say Johnson and Kosove.

As a film project, The Blind Side was initiated in September 2006 when Netter read an article about Oher in a New York Times Magazine story. He optioned the book, which was released a month later. Hancock was then enlisted to write and direct.

Slated for release in November 2009, The Blind Side will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.