Ever since streaming platforms emerged in India and became a large part of Indian audiences’ lives, several British TV shows have received a Bollywood makeover. Right from The Night Manager to Criminal Justice, Hindi adaptations of British shows have received the same amount of love from Indian audiences as they did when their originals released. Today we take a look at 5 Indian adaptations of successful British TV shows.
The Night Manager
The Hindi adaptation of the BBC show The Night Manager stars Indian actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor as lead characters Shaan Sengupta and Shelly Rungta, respectively. The show's first four episodes aired on Disney+ Hotstar on February 16, while the remaining four episodes will be out on June 30.
Criminal Justice
The critically acclaimed BBC Studios’ crime thriller legal drama Criminal Justice swept many off their feet with its realism and tension upon its run in 2008. It met the same reception when an Indian adaptation premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in 2019. Starring Pankaj Tripathi, Vikrant Massey, Jackie Shroff, Anupriya Goenka and Mita Vashisht in lead roles, Criminal Justice has released three seasons so far.
Guilt
An official adaptation of the award-winning BBC Studios series Guilt is currently in the works in India. Actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub star in the yet-to-be-titled show. The Indian version of the mystery drama is developed by Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India. Shaad Ali of Bunty Aur Babli (2005) and Saathiya (2002) fame is attached as director. Apart from Ahlawat and Zeeshan, the cast also includes Tina Desai, Shruti Seth, Maya Alagh, Mugdha Godse, and Satish Kaushik.
Dead Pixels
Disney+ Hotstar in India is currently working on the official remake of BBC Studios’ comedy Dead Pixels. The Telugu adaptation will consist of six episodes and is being produced by BBC Studios India and Tamada Media, with animation by Keyframe Studios.
Out of Love
Hotstar adapted BBC Studios' critically acclaimed series Doctor Foster as Out of Love for Indian audiences in association with BBC Studios India with Tigmanshu Dhulia and Aijaz Khan as directors. Rasika Dugal and Purab Kohli played lead roles in two seasons of the show.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.