Film Production

Applause gives Archer novels the reel deal with big screen plans

Published

6 months ago

August 5, 2025

MUMBAI: India is flipping the page on adaptation history Jeffrey Archer’s bestsellers are finally getting their official real life adaptation close-up. Move over pirated plots and ‘inspired’ scripts Jeffrey Archer is getting a legitimate Indian makeover. In a landmark announcement, Applause Entertainment has acquired exclusive screen rights to six of the legendary author’s most iconic novels. And unlike decades of uncredited rip-offs, this one’s all above board legal, global, and ready to stream in style.

The acquisition includes The Clifton Chronicles, First Among Equals, Fourth Estate, Sons of Fortune, Heads You Win, and The Eleventh Commandment. Applause, known for high-impact Indian originals like Scam 1992 and Criminal Justice, is making its first foray into international fiction adaptations and they’re going big. Expect a slate of premium drama series and feature films spanning languages, formats, and platforms.

At a live conversation in Mumbai, author Jeffrey Archer and Applause MD Sameer Nair shared their vision and plenty of mutual admiration. “There isn’t a Cain, but there’s certainly an Abel in every Indian,” joked Archer, reflecting on how his stories of ambition, love, betrayal and revenge have found deep resonance here. The 85-year-old best-selling author, whose books have sold over 300 million copies across 115 countries and 49 languages, called the collaboration “a privilege,” but added with trademark candour, “I shall be watching and waiting for results!”

Sameer Nair was clear that this partnership signals a bold new direction. “This isn’t just a rights deal, it’s a creative call-out to India’s best storytellers,” he said. “We’re inviting screenwriters, directors, and regional creators to reimagine Archer’s worlds in contemporary Indian settings while staying true to the original narrative arc.” Nair cited First Among Equals as an example, saying its political premise translates beautifully into India’s high-stakes electoral landscape. “Just replace Westminster with the Vidhan Sabha, and you’ve got a blockbuster.”

Applause plans to adapt some novels as long-form series and others as films, possibly in multiple Indian languages. The idea, said Nair, is to retell global IP through a local lens and take it back to the world via global streaming platforms. “These are timeless stories, and the new generation deserves to hear them in a voice and context they understand.”

For Archer, the faith in adaptation lies in one word: screenwriting. “If the screenplay’s right, the show works. If it isn’t, nothing can save it,” he quipped, citing The West Wing as an example of sublime screenwriting. And he’s no stranger to the perils of poor adaptation either. “The BBC did Cain and Abel brilliantly. But Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less? Terrible. It’s not easy but when it works, it’s magic.”

In an industry where copyright infringement once passed for creativity, this deal is also a statement. “Indians are done with jugaad. We want to do it the right way,” said Nair. “It’s time Indian content gets a global reputation for originality and excellence.”

So what’s next? The creative process has begun, with teams now deciding which titles will go where, in what language, and on which platform. Archer’s only golden rule to filmmakers? “Stick to the story. Don’t think you can write your own half of Kane and Abel. Just don’t.”

From the pirated paperbacks sold at Indian traffic signals to a sprawling screen universe led by some of the country’s sharpest creators Archer’s tales are finally getting the adaptation they deserve. With Applause calling the shots, this is one literary remix that promises to be worth the wait.

Related Topics:Applause Entertainment Jeffrey Archer Sameer Nair

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Film Production

Balaji Telefilms launches Hoonur, its talent management vertical

Published

1 week ago

February 6, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms has rolled out Hoonur, a dedicated talent management arm under its digital division, sharpening its push to build an integrated entertainment ecosystem spanning content, platforms and artists.

The new vertical is aimed at structured career development in an industry increasingly driven by digital reach, brand partnerships and multi-platform visibility. Hoonur will focus on long-term representation, strategic positioning and audience engagement for talent across broadcast and streaming formats.

The initiative will be led by Mohammed Nagman Lateef, a talent strategist with more than 11 years of experience, who earlier founded Iconic Entertainment. His appointment signals a more organised, forward-looking approach to artist management within the Balaji Telefilms fold.

Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta Kapoor, said, “At Balaji, we have always believed that every artist deserves the right environment to grow. Talent thrives when it is supported by a platform that understands its individuality and long-term potential. With Hoonur, we are creating a curated space where artists receive focused attention, strategic guidance, and opportunities that are aligned with who they are and where they can go. It’s about shaping meaningful journeys, not just managing assignments.”

Hoonur has already signed a diverse roster of television and digital stars, including Madalsa Sharma, Sahil Uppal, Rohit Chandel, Simba Nagpal, Tejasswi Prakash and Shubhangi Atre.

Several of its artists: Urvashi Dholakia, Ridhi Dogra, Shiv Thakre and Shiny Doshi, also feature in The 50, one of India’s most anticipated new reality television shows.

Balaji Telefilms chief revenue officer Nitin Burman, said the new vertical would enable closer collaboration between content, brands and platforms, placing talent at the centre of long-term partnerships and audience engagement strategies.

With Hoonur, Balaji Telefilms is doubling down on its integrated model, blending content creation, digital strategy and talent representation to shape the next generation of media stars.

Film Production

Ananya Birla steps into cinema with Birla Studios launch

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Ananya Birla is rolling the camera on a new act. The entrepreneur and singer has launched Birla Studios, a film production house pitched at the sweet spot between artistic heft and box-office muscle, as India’s content boom lures fresh capital and ambition.

Based in Mumbai and launched in 2026, the studio sets out to produce high-concept, prestige-driven commercial cinema that pairs broad audience appeal with artistic distinction. The pitch is clear: culturally relevant stories, emotional immediacy and films designed to linger in the mind long after the credits roll.

Birla Studios will champion narratives that spark instant connection while offering long-term resonance. Its mandate blends creative ambition with commercial viability, alongside a stated commitment to nurture new talent and amplify fresh voices across genres.

The venture is rooted in Ananya Birla’s view of cinema as a serious medium of expression and influence, not merely spectacle. The studio positions itself as a platform for meaningful but widely engaging storytelling that mirrors contemporary cultural sensibilities.

“We are all stories. Cinema is one of the most powerful mediums through which those stories are told. At its most powerful, cinema creates an immediate connection while leaving a lasting resonance,” Ananya Birla said. She added that the focus is on curating a slate that balances cultural significance with strong entertainment value, while taking “a conscious stand to nurture new talent, explore genres, and amplify fresh voices and diverse perspectives”.

As the slate takes shape, she noted the “kindness and receptiveness” encountered across the industry, calling it a privilege to play even a small role in taking Indian cinema forward.

The content strategy is deliberately wide. Birla Studios is assembling a multi-language slate spanning Hindi, Gujarati and Malayalam films, alongside international English-language projects. The idea is to travel across regions, languages and borders rather than stay in one cinematic lane.

Genre is no barrier. The studio describes itself as genre-agnostic, backing stories with depth and commercial potential while prioritising craft, scale and careful execution. Details of specific projects remain under wraps, with announcements promised in the coming months.

India’s film business is in flux, with streaming platforms, pan-Indian hits and global audiences reshaping what travels and what sells. Into that churn steps Birla Studios, betting that stories with cultural specificity and universal emotion can do both.

The script, for now, is aspirational. The real test will be on screen. In a crowded market chasing the next big story, Birla Studios wants to make films that do not just open well—but endure.

Film Production

Agnieszka Veriga named VP program management for Apac global experiences at WBD

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Warner Bros Discovery has elevated Agnieszka Veriga, widely known as Aga, to vice president, program management for Apac global experiences, placing her at the helm of the company’s fast-expanding experiences business across the region.

Based in Dubai and working closely with teams across Asia Pacific, Veriga will lead Warner Bros Discovery’s portfolio of owned and licensed experiences. Her remit includes the Warner Bros Studio Tours in Tokyo and Shanghai, alongside shaping the company’s long-term growth strategy for experiences in Asia.

The appointment follows a landmark year in which Veriga worked closely with Sarah Roots to deliver the Harry Potter Studio Tour Shanghai project. Developed in partnership with Chinese hospitality major JingJiang, the project marked a major step in Warner Bros Discovery’s global experiences ambitions and stood out for its scale and complexity.

In her new role, Veriga will partner with Tony Qiu and the regional leadership team, focusing on strong programme delivery, clear governance and close collaboration across markets as the experiences portfolio continues to grow.

Veriga brings deep international experience to the position. Prior to joining Warner Bros Discovery, she served as director, strategic project management and business operations for Asia at Paramount, where she led major transformation initiatives and played a key role in launching Paramount Plus in South Korea and Japan. Her earlier career spans senior strategy and operations roles across Asia, Europe and the Middle East within the Discovery ecosystem and beyond.

Sharing the news, Veriga said she was grateful for the trust and support she has received and excited about what lies ahead. With studio tours and immersive entertainment gaining traction across Asia, her expanded mandate signals Warner Bros Discovery’s intent to scale experiences with precision and pace.