Remakes and adaptations have always been very popular in the Indian entertainment industry, especially in Bollywood. While Bollywood has been remaking films from other countries since its beginning, we have now also seen some fine adaptations of foreign shows in the last couple of years. Today we bring you the top Indian web series that have been adapted from foreign shows.
1. Citadel
Bollywood star Varun Dhawan is set to lead the cast of the Indian installment of the upcoming American science fiction action thriller television series Citadel, which stars Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden in lead roles and premieres on April 28 on Amazon Prime Video. The Indian production is led by the creator duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK.
2. Aarya
Headlined by well-known actress and former beauty pageant winner Sushmita Sen, Aarya is the official remake of the successful Dutch drama series titled Penoza, created by Pieter Bart Korthuis and Diederik van Rooijen. The show revolves around a daring woman who goes all out to avenge the murder of her husband. After two successful seasons, Aarya returns with season 3 this year only on Disney+ Hotstar.
3. Rudra: The Edge of Darkness
Rudra: The Edge of Darkness is the official remake of the successful British psychological crime thriller television series Luther and marked the streaming debut of leading Bollywood star Ajay Devgn. Devgn earned rave reviews for his intense performance in the show.
4. The Night Manager
As the title aptly suggests, The Night Manager is the official remake of the popular British series of the same name. The remake stars Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur who stepped into the shoes of Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, respectively. Initially planned as an 8-episode season, the makers later decided to release in 2 parts with 4 episodes each. The second part of the series comes out in June 2023 on Disney+ Hotstar.
5. Hostages
Directed by Sudhir Mishra, Hostages is a remake of an Israeli series of the same name. The show starred Tisca Chopra and Ronit Roy in lead roles and followed a doctor whose family gets taken hostage and will only be spared if she kills her patient, a well-known politician. It is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
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.