ITV Studios, BBC Studios Pact to Adapt Scripted Dramas for India
ITV Studios and BBC Studios India have struck a deal to adapt several ITV Studios scripted dramas for the Indian market.
The first ITV Studios titles to be adapted include “Gold Digger,” “Sticks and Stones,” “Trauma” and “35 Days.” In addition to the Hindi-language adaptations, BBC Studios will also explore tapping into the large Tamil and Telugu-language markets.
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Augustus Dulgaro, executive VP, distribution, Asia Pacific at ITV Studios, said: “Working with BBC Studios India will only strengthen what we can both achieve in the region. These are really powerful stories, full of themes that matter to all of us – betrayal, love, family intrigue and loss. I’m very much looking forward to seeing our IP repurposed for South Asian audiences.”
BBC Studios has considerable experience in adapting British IP for the Indian market. As revealed by Variety, an adaptation of smash hit series “Luther” is in the works, starring popular Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for streamer Disney Plus Hotstar.
An adaptation of “Criminal Justice,” also for Disney Plus Hotstar, was a success and a second season has been commissioned. “Out of Love,” the Indian version of “Doctor Foster,” was another hit for Disney Plus Hotstar.
Sameer Gogate, general manager of BBC Studios India Productions, said: “British dramas really resonate with Indian audiences, as we have seen with the success of ‘Criminal Justice’ and ‘Doctor Foster’ and will see with these ITV Studios dramas, which have all the twists and turns of a gripping story that you could hope for. I am looking forward to reproducing them for the Indian market and developing a deeper relationship with our British TV counterparts, with our shared mission to take exceptional premium content to the rest of the world.”
“We have carefully curated the portfolio and believe there is real scope to find the right talent and partners to bring proven hits to a fresh fanbase,” added Giles Ridge, SVP of scripted formats at ITV Studios. “There is a real demand for this type of material, not just in India but in Indian-speaking communities around the world.”
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