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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.

MUMBAI: When an Archer hits the screen, it’s bound to be cinematic. In a landmark move that marries British literary mastery with Indian storytelling flair, Applause Entertainment has acquired exclusive screen rights to six of Jeffrey Archer’s most popular novels, The Clifton Chronicles, Fourth Estate, First Among Equals, The Eleventh Commandment, Sons of Fortune, and Heads You Win. This marks Applause’s first foray into global fiction adaptations and sets the stage for a string of prestige projects that promise political intrigue, media dynasties, and multi-generational drama with an unmistakably Indian flavour.

In a candid and entertaining conversation, author Jeffrey Archer and Applause Entertainment’s managing director Sameer Nair gave a glimpse into the creative chemistry behind this literary-meets-OTT deal. “I’m sentimental about my Everest story,” Archer said, musing about Prisoner of Birth, a title he still hopes will see a screen adaptation someday. Reflecting on timeless narratives, he added, “Jane Austen, Higgins, Agatha Christie they go on. A good story lasts and lasts.”

This acquisition isn’t just about borrowing bestsellers. “We’re looking to take these stories to a much wider audience,” Nair said. “The adaptations will be reimagined in Hindi, possibly Tamil or Bengali, and crafted for young adult sensibilities without compromising on Archer’s signature pace and drama.” The projects will be helmed by a wide pool of Indian creators Applause has previously collaborated with. “We’re already in discussions, and within the next 3–6 months, you’ll hear announcements,” Nair assured.

The creative challenges, however, aren’t just about casting or rewriting. “Jeffrey and I see eye-to-eye more easily than our lawyers do,” Nair quipped. “But that’s true for everything in showbiz. The lawyers will hold us up more than anyone else.” Archer added, tongue firmly in cheek, “I’ll wait to see the results before I comment again!”

The plan isn’t to play only to Archer’s existing readership either. As Nair explained, “Reading requires literacy. Consuming audiovisual content doesn’t. The idea is to make these adaptations contemporary, bold, and cinematic to reach beyond readers, to those who haven’t read the books, and make them fall in love with the story all over again.”

Asked about the marketing vision, Nair kept it grounded: “We’ve got to make the shows first. Once we do that, we’ll see where they go.” The team hinted at partnerships with global streaming platforms and a high-quality visual treatment, given Archer’s dense plotting and character arcs.

The move also fits squarely within Applause’s content philosophy of adapting compelling, well-known IPs with local creative sensibilities. The studio has previously reimagined formats like Scam 1992 and Criminal Justice for Indian audiences.

For Archer, whose books have sold over 275 million copies globally, this collaboration marks another chapter in his screen journey. His previous titles like Kane and Abel have made it to TV but often, without his permission. “I hate it when people say, ‘I loved Kane and Abel on television,’” Archer lamented. “They just stole the story!”

As for storytelling itself? Both Archer and Nair agree, it’s universal. “There’s no such thing as Indian or foreign storytelling. A local story is only good if it’s universal,” Nair summed up. Archer added, “I read an Italian novel recently The Leopard. Didn’t care that it was Sicilian. It was a damn good story.”

And now, six damn good stories are headed to Indian screens with a fresh voice, but Archer’s trademark twists intact. Let the adaptations begin.