Anil Kapoor to remake '24' for Indian audiences

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has reportedly signed a Rs 1 billion deal with 20th Century Fox to remake the popular US crime thriller series 24.

Kapoor, who also starred in the last season of the show, will make the show for Indian audiences, playing the lead role of anti terrorist cell (ATC) agent Jack Bauer.

In the original series, the role of Bauer is played by Kiefer Sutherland and every season (day) of the show depicts 24 hours in the life of the agent. Every episode of the show is the story of one hour of the day and it is shown realtime, with the clock never stopping.

The Indian version of the show will see Kapoor making entry on the small screen as his Film Company will be producing it for the Indian market.

"It will be a great honour for me to play Jack Bauer. Kiefer has created an iconic character which has inspired me to bring the franchise to India. This will be my first foray to Indian television and I look forward to duplicating the standard of excellence Fox has so successfully created," Kapoor said in a statement.

Fox International president Marion Edwards added, "Anil?s passion for the series goes back to his time as a guest star on the show, and we?re excited to enable him to realise his vision of creating a new version of the series for his native India. We think this could pave the way for many more iterations of this brilliant series in other international territories down the road."