Fremantle India‘s managing director Aradhana Bhola has shed light on the company’s recent foray into fiction series and its ambitious plans for the local market.
“Bad Cop,” a reimagining of RTL’s German series “Bad Cop: Kriminell Gut” (2017), marked Fremantle India’s entry into the fiction space. The series, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, is adapted by Rensil D’Silva, known for “Bambai Meri Jaan,” and directed by Aditya Datt of “Crakk” fame.
The show stars Gulshan Devaiah as Karan, a fierce cop pursuing 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”).
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“Bad Cop” has achieved remarkable success since it began streaming in late June. It claimed the #1 spot on Disney+ Hotstar’s Top 10 Hindi-language shows in India and has maintained its top ranking since. The show’s popularity is further evidenced by its inclusion in Ormax Media’s list of five most watched streaming shows and movies.
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“The premise of the original German series, twin brothers with one being a cop and the other a con artist is what attracted us prima facie. Indian audiences have enjoyed many a hit film around twin themes and we were excited by the prospect of re-imaging the series from a hyper local and cultural context,” Bhola told Variety.
“And while it has its share of crime, action and thrills, at the heart of ‘Bad Cop’ are relatable universal human themes of right and wrong, choices and consequences, love and betrayal, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor that made it a worthwhile 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 various genres. “We are not limiting ourselves by any genre; the germ starts with an idea that excites us or we feel passionately about,” she said. The company’s development slate includes adaptations from Fremantle’s global drama catalogue as well as original ideas rooted in Indian culture. “What tends to be common to both these is the thread of human interest and emotions,” Bhola said.
In the non-fiction and reality show space, Fremantle continues to build on its established formats. Bhola highlighted the recent launch of the third season of “Telugu Indian Idol,” which opened with viewership 26% higher than its predecessor. “We are continuing to create more seasons of our successful formats like ‘Idols’ and ‘Got Talent’ that have been entertaining audiences for many years now, including their regional versions,” she explained.
When asked about plans for true crime and documentary content, Bhola confirmed the company’s interest, but kept details under wraps.
A key aspect of Fremantle India’s strategy involves tapping into the country’s rich cultural heritage. Bhola emphasized this point, stating, “Whether we are re-imagining a format or developing a 100% local idea, we invariably find ourselves dipping into the pot of India’s rich cultural heritage and stories galore. That’s where the nuances, relatability, inspiration, and distinction come from for any of our shows.”