MUMBAI: Popular American espionage thriller ’24’ is all set to come on Indian television through Colors channel. We hear that the channel bought the broadcast rights from Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor for almost Rs 150 crores! Anil Kapoor had bought the rights from Fox TV last year.
Anil Kapoor, who had played the role of a middle-eastern President in season 8 of the American version, will play the lead role of Jack Bauer in the Indian version. This will make it the actor’s first television stint in his 30-year career. Additionally, the actor’s production house, Anil Kapoor Films, will produce the show in India. So it looks the ‘jhakaas’ actor, will be giving the show his all.
Given the popularity of the original series – it ran for 8 seasons, was aired in 43 countries, in 8 languages – the question is, will the Indian version become a success? Especially since we will be the first country to get rights to adapt the action thriller.
Raj Nayak, chief executive officer of Colors believes that the show will be a game changer for Colors. “So far, content was an area limited financially, which this series will change with its scale, production standards, indoor and large outdoor shoots,” he said. Brand tie-ins and advertising also do not seem to be a worry for the head honcho – he is quite confident that the company will recover its investment.
Anil Kapoor has revealed that he has put together a dedicated team comprising director Abhinay Deo and writer Rensil D’ Silva who will be writing the Indian adaptation along with Colors’ programming team led by Manisha Sharma.
Additionally, the producers of the international version will be personally present in India to give their inputs in the early stages of the making of ’24’. Marion Edwards, president of Fox International Television says, “We hope this will pave the way for many more local versions of this brilliant series in other international territories.”
