Colors' 24 to air from 4 October; Comedy Nights with Kapil to become weekly

Colors has announced the much awaited broadcast timeslot for Anil Kapoor starrer – 24. With 24, Colors redefines the drama genre making way for action icons on India television. The Indian adaptation of this high-octane saga that created history in the United States will go on air Friday, 4 October 2013, and telecast every weekend (Friday – Saturday, 10 pm). The announcement was made in a press conference by Raj Nayak, Chief Executive – Colors. The launch of 24 in India makes the channel the first-ever network to produce and air the local adaptation of the international series outside the United States. The Indian adaptation of 24, retains all the elements of the international series, the real-time, pulse-pounding, fast-paced format with split screens and complex interweaving storylines, with 24 episodes capturing 24 hours. The premiere episode will follow the exploits of heroic Anti Terrorist Unit agent Jai Singh Rathod played by Anil Kapoor. Racing against time with the clock ticking, Jai Singh Rathod, is suddenly thrust into a chaotic and exhausting 24 hour marathon, of death, deceit, terror as he struggles to prevent the assassination of prime ministerial candidate Aditya Singhania. To support Jai Singh Rathod in this mammoth task is a spectacular cast comprising of industry veterans and actors like Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Mandira Bedi, Tisca Chopra, Anita Raaj, Neil Bhoopalam, Ajinkya Deo, Richa Chadda and Rahul Khanna who deliver spell-binding performances to make 24 play out like clockwork. Speaking about 24, Manisha Sharma, Weekend Programming Head – Colors, said, “With 24, we introduce the Indian audiences to a new hybrid genre of entertainment that sees an interesting amalgamation of fiction and reality. Well on its way to become a cultural lexicon, 24 will offer the audiences never-seen-before action, thrill, suspense, drama and the exhilaration of solving complex cases real-time within a span of 24 hours.” “I couldn’t have asked for a better team of actors than the ones on 24,” says Anil Kapoor, actor and co-producer, “Everybody is a hero on the show and the precision and technique that each one of them use to portray their individual characters is unique. Their never-say-die attitude and the passion and enthusiasm put in by each one of them makes me want to strive harder and perform better and better.” “Creating a body of work such as 24, is a lifetime opportunity where I could use my craft to the fullest. I have attempted to create a visual medley of powerful characters led by Jai Singh Rathod. I am confident audiences will love each and every character and see how all of them in their own way contribute to the twists and turns of 24,” said Abhinay Deo, Chief Director of the show. 24 is co-produced by Anil Kapoor Film Co, and Ramesh Deo Productions, directed by Abhinay Deo and adapted by Rensil D’Silva. Now with 24 taking the 10pm slot on Friday and Saturday, Colors’ highest rated show Comedy Nights with Kapil will become weekly and will air only on Sundays at the 10pm slot (it’s a bi-weekly right now). One would wonder why would the channel do that to its most popular show? We guess lack of slots lead to tough decision at times. There’s one more glitch. On Fridays, currently the 10pm slot airs Uttaran and 10.30pm sees Bani. What will happen to these shows? Will they see a shift in slot or air only from Mon to Thu? To get answers we buzzed Colors’ Fiction Head, Prashant Bhatt, who said, “Yes, we are discussing about it. We are yet to take a decision. Soon something will be decided.” Tellychakkar.com will soon come up with more updates!!!