The release, which also stars Laila Rouass, Lauren Patel, Navin Chowdry and Mark Williams, follows Naveen, a dutiful husband and loving father whose life falls apart when decades of festering secrets are exposed.
Bhatti spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about the film, and explained that he was drawn to the project because of the script.
Bhatti said: "I thought the writing was great. It's about a man who's trying to hold his family unit together, learns of three secrets that smash his world apart, but I also like the fact that it's almost farcical."
Shaheen Khan as Priya, Mark Williams as Brian, Ace Bhatti as Naveen and Laila Rouass as Sangeeta in The Effects of Lying. Bonaparte Films/ITV
He continued: "As often with these situations that can be very painful, they become farcical because they spiral out of control.
"It's an hour and a half of that, and I think it's very entertaining. I've shown it to friends and family who would naturally give me an honest opinion and they all seem to like it, which is great.
"It was a punt, it was a risk. I have to be honest, I was scared," he said. "But you've got to try it, you've got to try these things.
"I think it doesn't matter where a story comes from, if it engages with people emotionally, like a good song it cuts through all the crap, and people go away with a smile on their face at the end of it, even though parts of it are painful - but funnily painful."
The Effects of Lying will be available to stream on ITVX from Thursday 6th July 2023. Visit our Film hub for the latest news and features, or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
