24 (Indian TV series)

24 is an Indian television drama that aired from 4 October 2013 through 21 December 2013 and was based on the American series of the same name. The Hindi language show is written by Rensil D'Silva, Bhavani Iyer and Priya Pinto, directed by Abhinay Deo and produced by Rashvan Films.^[2][3][4]

The Hindi version of 24 is the first adaptation of the show, the India rights for which were acquired from Fox and 24 producer Howard Gordon by Rashvan Films.^[3] In November 2011, Kapoor's production house signed a ₹100 crore ($20 million) deal to adapt the series.^[5] Kapoor plays the lead role in the show. The show is set in Mumbai with the main set of the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) being a replica of the one in the original series.^[4] Bollywood actors Anupam Kher and Shabana Azmi both have cameo performances in the show.^[6][7][8]

The season is directed by Abhinay Deo, written by Rensil D'Silva and Bhavani Iyer and is supervised by Manisha Sharma.^[3]

Production

Kapoor, who had previously featured in the American version of the 24 series playing President Omar Hassan, bought the official rights of 24 in November, 2011.^[9] The show aired in Hindi and was also dubbed in various regional languages. India is the first country outside of the US to get rights to adapt the show. "We hope this will pave the way for many more local versions of this brilliant series in other international territories," Fox International Television president Marion Edwards said in an email reply to ET.^[10] Kiefer Sutherland, who starred in the original show^[11] has shown interest in acting in the Hindi version.^[12]

TV rights

Colors channel bought the broadcast rights in a deal estimated at Rs 150 crore. Kapoor holds the rights of the 192 episodes for a period of four years extendable to another ten.^[13]

Video game

On 21 October 2013, Kapoor launched Tata Safari Storm presents 24 — The Game, a 3D game in which players participate as ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathod, portrayed on-screen by Kapoor.^[14]

Cast

• Anil Kapoor as Jai Singh Rathod,^[15] a character based on Jack Bauer, a man with an army background who is torn between loyalty to his family and to his country, India.^[16]
• Tisca Chopra as Trisha Rathod, Jai's Wife.
• Mandira Bedi^[6] as Nikita Rai, a government agent at ATU based on the character Nina Myers.
• Adhir Bhatt^[6] as Tejpal Singh Sandhu, a government agent at ATU, based on the character Tony Almeida of the original show.
• Anupam Kher as Wasim Khan (Guest Appearance), a Research and Analysis Wing officer.^[6][17]
• Neil Bhoopalam as Aditya Singhania, a Prime-Ministerial candidate and a youth icon whose life is in danger, based on the character President David Palmer of the original show.
• Shivani Tanksale as Divya Singhania Maurya, sister of Aditya and wife of Vikrant, loosely based on Nicole Palmer.
• Anita Raj as Naina Singhania, Aditya and Divya's mother, inspired from the character Sherry Palmer of original show.
• Rahul Singh.^[6] as Vikrant Maurya, Divya's husband.
• Raaghav Chanana as Prithvi Singhania, Aditya's cousin and Chief Of Staff, inspired from the character Wayne Palmer and Mike Novick from the original show.
• Sujata Kumar as Megha Singhania, Prithvi's mother.
• Pooja Ruparel as Pooja Bharadwaj, an aide to the minister.^[18]
• Shabana Azmi as Abhilasha Grewal, an officer who takes over ATU when Jai goes missing, based on the character Alberta Green.
• Yuri Suri^[6] as Mahinder Gill, a senior Research and Analysis Wing officer who takes control of the ATU, based on George Mason.
• Shivkumar Subramaniam as Kamaljit Sood, A Senior Research and Analysis Wing(RAW) officer comes to question Jai, inspired from Ryan Chappelle.
• Nissar Khan as Murad Ali.
• Suchitra Pillai as Mehek Ahuja, A TV Journalist and Vikrant's lover.
• Shahnawaz Pradhan as KK, inspired by campaign manager Carl Webb.
• Sapna Pabbi as Kiran Jai Singh Rathod, Jai and Trisha's teenage daughter, the character of Kim Bauer in the original series.
• Adhish Khanna as Veer Jai Singh Rathod, Jai and Trisha's son.
• Aradhana Jagota^[7] as Jhanvi Abhay Gupta, Kiran's friend based on Janet York.
• Kiran Srinivas^[7] as Dev.
• Priyanshu Jora^[7] as Rohit.
• Nikunj Malik as Simran, the girl whom Veer helps.
• Gurpreet Saini as Mihir, based on the character Milo Pressman in the original series.
• Kishor Kadam as Ravinder, LTFE Chief, based on the character Victor Drazen of the original show.
• Rajeev Siddhartha as Bala Ravinder, Ravinder's son, inspired from Alexis Drazen.
• Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Raja, Ravinder's right-hand man, inspired from Andre Drazen.
• Ankur Vikal as Yakub Sayeed, terrorist leader, based on Ira Gaines.
• Ajinkya Deo^[6] as Kartik Chandrashekhar / Abhay Gupta, Jhanvi's Fake father.
• Rajat Kaul as Max Ferraro, a free line photographer.
• Nikkitasha Marwaha as Mehr, an assain who kills real Max Ferraro and only survivor from Yakub's group, based on the character Mandy from the original show.
• Rahul Khanna as Tarun Khosla, a young rich businessman.
• Richa Chadda as Sapna, a cameo.
• Bikramjeet Kanwarpal^[19] as Agent Pradhan.
• Shweta Pandit

Reception

The show was described by the media as "one of India's most ambitious TV shows". It is considered to be one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced in India and the first to have a major Bollywood star in the lead.^[20] The Gulf News praised its production values and writing.^[21]

Rediff awarded the show 3.5/5 stars and stated that "The plotting: Two sisters, a man who’s had a plastic surgery, a vicious boss, an airplane bombing, the sinister face of 24. What doesn’t work? The dialogues. They’re clunky, contrived, filmi and, at times, little more than a tacky translation. And this shortcoming ruins some potentially strong scenes or disconnects from the steadily brewing tension. While somewhat underwhelmed by the debut episode, I was hooked to the fast-paced, unflinchingly fierce (chopped finger, et al), action-packed momentum of the second. 24’s premise is such, every episode inches closer to a disclosure. It may not have the finish of the original but when you look at the bigger picture, Anil Kapoor’s new show is a step in a desperately needed direction."^[22]

The Telegraph stated "... a big thumbs up to its well-chosen cast. Every actor fits perfectly into his or her role, with a special mention for Mandira Bedi’s Nikita, Neil Bhoopalam’s Aditya and Tisca Chopra’s Trisha."^[23]

A second season is scheduled to go on air in early 2016. Director Rensil said shooting will start in November 2015.^[24]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 24.

• 24
• 24 (Indian Adaptation) at the Internet Movie Database