Colors acquires TV rights of '24' from Anil Kapoor

MUMBAI: Colors has acquired the broadcast rights of American political action series ?24? from Anil Kapoor Film, the Bollywood actor?s production house.

The show is slated to go on air in the summer of 2013. It adds to Colors? portfolio of international formats which includes ?Bigg Boss?, ?India?s Got Talent?, ?Khatron Ke Khiladi?, and ?Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa? in the recent years.

Kapoor had acquired the rights of ?24? from 20th Century Fox a year ago to remake the popular series for Indian audience. The actor is believed to have paid between Rs 850 million to Rs 1 billion for the rights.

?24? will mark the launch of Anil?s Kapoor first television production under the banner Anil Kapoor Film. The actor will also play the protagonist, Jack Bauer, in the India version. Kapoor had played the role of Omar Hassan in Season 8 of the international series.

Kapoor said, "While scouting for a perfect partner we were in talks with 2-3 leading channels. We chose Colors as in them we see the right platform that not only had a solid connect with the audiences but also enjoyed the reputation of providing futuristic entertainment. 24 was my destiny. I was offered to play a role in the international series, and then I had made up my mind to bring this show to India. In less than a year I bought the rights to produce an Indian version."

?24? is a new hybrid genre of entertainment that will see amalgamation of fiction and reality.

"?24? is a show that brings Anil Kapoor?s mass appeal and Colors? mass audience together to create history in Indian Television. It?s an honour to bag 24 for Colors; in fact it?s a reward for our efforts and our firm belief in continuously providing disruptive content to our audiences. I am confident the show will set new standards in entertainment and further strengthen connect with Indian audiences," said Colors CEO Raj Nayak.

The Indian adaptation of ?24? is being penned by Rensil D? Silva with Abhinay Deo as its director. The duo will work together with the Colors programming team led by Colors weekend programming head Manisha Sharma.