The Hindi version of24 is the first adaptation of the show; the India rights were acquired fromFox and24 producerHoward Gordon by the production company ofAnil Kapoor, who also plays the lead role in the adaptation.[3] In November 2011, Kapoor's production house signed a₹ 100 crore ($20 million at the time) deal to adapt the series.[5] The show is set inMumbai with the main set of the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) being a replica of the one in the original series.[4] Bollywood actorsAnupam Kher andShabana Azmi both have cameo performances in the show.[6][7][8]
The season focuses on ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathore (Anil Kapoor), who is torn between saving his family and the entire nation from a major terrorist attack. With assassins and attackers on the loose, it is up to Jai to save the country's Prime Minister-elect Aditya Singhania (Neil Bhoopalam), even possibly from members of his own family, with the eye of suspicion lingering on his cousin and Chief of Staff, Prithvi Singhania (Raaghav Chanana).
Jai gets a terror mastermind Roshan Sherchan (Ashish Vidyarthi) arrested along with accomplice Shivani Malik (Sakshi Tanwar). But Roshan's brother Haroon Sherchan (Sikander Kher) threatens to infectMumbai with a virus that can put everyone's life at risk. While members of the Anti Terrorism Unit (including Shivani Malik) are trying their best to solve the case, Jai Rathod, unbeknownst to them, is hatching a plan to free Roshan. Jai has drawn further ire from his son for being romantically involved with a new woman Maya (Surveen Chawla). Maya also has a connection to the terrorist brothers and is in a relationship with Haroon. Aditya (Neil Bhoopalam) & Prithvi Singhania (Raaghav Chanana) continue to hold fort on the political front as the country unravels into chaos, while hidden secrets in their family saga begin to unravel.
Kapoor, who had previously featured in the American version of the24 series playingPresident Omar Hassan, bought the official rights of24 in November 2011.[9] The show aired in Hindi and was also dubbed in various regional languages. India is the first country outside of the US to get rights to adapt the show. "We hope this will pave the way for many more local versions of this brilliant series in other international territories," Fox International Television president Marion Edwards said in an email reply to ET.[10]Kiefer Sutherland, who starred in the original show[11] has shown interest in acting in the Hindi version.[12]
Colors channel bought the broadcast rights in a deal estimated at Rs 150crore. Kapoor holds the rights of the 192 episodes for a period of four years extendable to another ten.[13]
The first season featured theTata Safari Storme as presenting sponsor, whereas the second season featured theMaruti Suzuki S-Cross.[14] Both cars were advertised prominently in the show.
On 21 October 2013, Kapoor launchedTata Safari Storm presents 24 – The Game, a 3D game in which players participate as ATU Chief Jai Singh Rathod, portrayed on-screen by Kapoor.[15]
The second season of the series also known as Day 2, commenced airing on 23 July 2016.[16][17] The show is written byRensil D'Silva,Niranjan Iyengar and Priya Pinto, directed byAbhinay Deo.[18][19][20] began shooting in February 2016.Sakshi Tanwar,Surveen Chawla,Sikander Kher,Madhurima Tuli andAshish Vidyarthi were announced as new main cast members. As with the original show, the plot concerns a mission to save the country from a tragedy, and later an attempt to implicate the conspirators responsible for it. Season 2 of24 is loosely based on the third season of the original series, while borrowing some story elements from the second season.[21]
Anil Kapoor (season 1–2) as Jai Singh Rathore,[22][23] a character based onJack Bauer, a man with an army background who is torn between loyalty to his family and to his country, India.[24]
Neil Bhoopalam (season 1–2) as Aditya Singhania, a Prime-Ministerial candidate and a youth icon whose life is in danger, based on the characterPresident David Palmer of the original show.
Pooja Ruparel (season 1) as Pooja Bharadwaj, an aide to the minister.[26]
Yuri Suri (season 1)[6] as Mahinder Gill, a senior Research and Analysis Wing officer who takes control of the ATU, based onGeorge Mason.
Shivkumar Subramaniam (season 1) as Kamaljit Sood, a Senior Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer who comes to question Jai, inspired fromRyan Chappelle.
Nissar Khan (season 1) as Murad Ali.
Suchitra Pillai (season 1) as Mehek Ahuja, a TV Journalist and Vikrant's lover.
Shahnawaz Pradhan (season 1) as KK, inspired by campaign manager Carl Webb.
Sikander Kher (season 2) as Haroon Sherchan, younger brother of Roshan Sherchan who wants his brother to be out of prison[28][29] based onHector Salazar.
Harsh Chhaya (season 2)[30] as Siddharth Saigal, Intelligence Bureau Head
Sumit Kaul (season 2) as Gyan Thakkar, thought at one point to be an enemy mole, he was revealed to have been working with Jai to coordinate an elaborate sting operation in which Jai would infiltrate the Sherchan's operation and gain their trust by breaking Roshan out of prison, based onGael Ortega.[31]
An article in the UK newspaperThe Independent stated that it was one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced in India and the first to have a major Bollywood star in the lead.[38]The Gulf News praised its production values and writing.[39]
Rediff awarded the show 3.5/5 stars and stated that "The plotting: Two sisters, a man who's had a plastic surgery, a vicious boss, an airplane bombing, the sinister face of24. What doesn't work? The dialogues. They're clunky, contrived, filmi and, at times, little more than a tacky translation. And this shortcoming ruins some potentially strong scenes or disconnects from the steadily brewing tension. While somewhat underwhelmed by the debut episode, I was hooked to the fast-paced, unflinchingly fierce (chopped finger, et al.), action-packed momentum of the second.24's premise is such, every episode inches closer to a disclosure. It may not have the finish of the original but when you look at the bigger picture, Anil Kapoor's new show is a step in a desperately needed direction."[40]
The Telegraph stated "... a big thumbs up to its well-chosen cast. Every actor fits perfectly into his or her role, with a special mention for Mandira Bedi's Nikita, Neil Bhoopalam's Aditya and Tisca Chopra's Trisha."[41]
Anil Kapoor, who was back with Season 2 of 24, received positive feedback from the viewers for his fresh outing. The actor was grateful for the critical acclaim he has been getting and makes sure he replies to every tweet that mentions him or 24.[42] Critics praisedAnil Kapoor,Sikander Kher,Raaghav Chanana andAshish Vidyarthi for their acting skills.[43] Parmita Uniyal of India Today stated "It's dark, it's uncomfortable, it will leave you asking for more".[43]
