The Indian version of “24” will debut Oct. 4 on Viacom 18’s channel Colors. Anil Kapoor (“Slumdog Millionaire”), who played Middle Eastern President Omar Hassan in the final season of the U.S. version of “24,” is the local Jack Bauer.
Kapoor’s production shingle Anil Kapoor Entertainment, alongside Ramesh Deo Prods., are producing the series. “India is the only country outside the U.S. to adapt ‘24,’ and I am glad that my friends and colleagues have supported me in my venture, ” Kapoor said.
Kapoor’s anti-terrorism unit chief is given the responsibility of protecting the candidate for prime minister (played by Neil Bhoopalam, “Shaitan”) following an assassination threat. Interestingly, given that 2014 is election year in India, the character appears to be modeled on real-life prime minister candidate Rahul Gandhi, from his garb to his glasses.
The show will air at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.
Anupam Kher (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Shabana Azmi (“The Reluctant Fundamentalist”), Rahul Khanna (“Bollywood/Hollywood”) and Richa Chaddha (“Gangs of Wasseypur”) all make cameos.
Colors has previously broadcast Indian versions of international reality formats, including “Bigg Boss,” the local version of “Big Brother”; “India’s Got Talent”; and the Indian version of “Fear Factor.” But “24” will be its first fiction format adaptation.
