Fremantle India Managing Director Aradhana Bhola has shed light on the company’s recent forays into fiction series and its ambitious plans for the local market.
“Bad Cop”, a remake of RTL’s German series “Bad Cop: Kriminell Gut” (2017), marked Fremantle India’s entry into the fiction world. The series, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, is adapted by Rensil D’Silva of “Bambai Meri Jaan” fame and directed by Aditya Datt of “Crakk” fame.
The show stars Gulshan Devaiah as Karan, a fierce cop who chases Kazbe, a formidable villain played by Anurag Kashyap. The cast also includes Harleen Sethi (“Kohrra”), Saurabh Sachdeva (“Animal”) and Aishwarya Sushmita (“Khakee: The Bihar Chapter”).
“Bad Cop” has seen notable success since streaming in late June. It claimed the No. 1 position on Disney+ Hotstar’s Top 10 Hindi-language Shows in India and has maintained its top spot ever since. The show’s popularity is further proven by its inclusion in Ormax Media’s list of five most-watched streaming shows and movies.
“The premise of the original German series, twin brothers where one is a cop and the other a con man, is what attracted us at first sight. Indian audiences have enjoyed many a hit film on dual themes and we were excited by the prospect of reimagining the series from a hyper-local and cultural context,” shared Bhola. Variety.
“And while it also features crime, action and suspense, at the heart of ‘Bad Cop’ are recognizable universal human themes of good and evil, choices and consequences, love and betrayal, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor that made it a success. a valuable choice for our first drama series offering,” Bhola added.
While Bhola remained tight-lipped about specific upcoming fiction shows, she emphasized Fremantle’s openness to different genres. “We don’t limit ourselves by any genre; the seed starts with an idea that excites us or that we are passionate about,” she said. The company’s development plans include adaptations from Fremantle’s global drama catalog as well as original ideas rooted in Indian culture. “What both of these have in common is the thread of human interest and emotions,” Bhola said.
In non-fiction and reality shows, Fremantle continues to build on its established formats. Bhola highlighted the recent launch of the third season of ‘Telugu Indian Idol’, which opened with 26% more viewers than its predecessor. “We continue to create more seasons of our successful formats such as ‘Idols’ and ‘Got Talent’, which have been entertaining audiences for many years, including their regional versions,” she explained.
When asked about plans for true crime and documentary content, Bhola confirmed the company’s interest but kept the details under wraps.
A key aspect of Fremantle India’s strategy is tapping into the country’s rich cultural heritage. Highlighting this point, Bhola said, “Whether we are reimagining a format or developing a 100% local idea, we invariably dip into the pot of India’s rich cultural heritage and stories galore. That’s where the nuances, recognisability, inspiration and distinction come from for all our shows.