<P> Victoria & Abdul is a 2017 British biographical comedy - drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Lee Hall . The film is based on the book of same name by Shrabani Basu, about the real - life relationship between Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her Indian Muslim servant Abdul Karim . It stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Michael Gambon, Eddie Izzard, Tim Pigott - Smith and Adeel Akhtar . The film had its world premiere at the 74th Venice Film Festival, and was theatrically released on 15 September 2017 in the United Kingdom . It has grossed over $65 million worldwide . </P> <P> The film was nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 90th Academy Awards, and Best Actress in a Motion Picture--Musical or Comedy (for Dench) at the 75th Golden Globe Awards . </P> <P> Abdul Karim, a young prison clerk from Agra, India, is instructed to travel to England for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 to present her with a mohur, a gold coin which has been minted as a token of appreciation from British - ruled India . </P> <P> The Queen, who is lonely and tired of her fawning courtiers, develops an interest in and later a friendship with Abdul . She spends time with him alone, and promotes him to become her Munshi . She asks him to teach her Urdu and the Qur'an . When Victoria discovers that he is married, she invites his wife and mother - in - law to join him to England . They arrive wearing black Burqas, to the consternation of the household . </P>

What year was victoria and abdul set in