‘Monk’ Being Adapted For Indian TV; Banijay Asia & NBCU Partner For Local Version On Disney+ Hotstar — MIPCOM

EXCLUSIVE: An Indian remake of U.S. drama Monk is in production. The local version of the popular procedural is being made for Disney+ Hotstar. It marks the first adaptation of the series, about a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, in South Asia.

The greenlight from Indian streamer Disney+ Hotstar follows a deal struck between Banijay Asia and NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, to remake iconic shows for the Indian  market.

The original series ran on USA Network from 2002 – 2009 and spawned a movie that played on Peacock last year. It followed Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) and his assistants Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) and Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) and their work with the San Francisco Police Department on unconventional cases.

The Indian remake of the show is a first, although a Turkish Monk has been made previously. The format is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats. The Disney+ Hotstar deal comes as in the wake of a wider agreement between Banijay Asia and NBCU to create Indian versions of shows from the U.S. studio’s catalog, which includes titles such as Suits, House, Saturday Night Live and Top Chef. 

Sumanta Bose, Business Head HSM and Content Head Disney+ Hotstar (Hindi), said: “Monk is an exciting fit for our platform, with its captivating mix of humor, mystery, and emotional depth. We have attempted to make this adaptation feel rooted and Indian, and thus uniquely fresh for our audiences including those who may have seen the original.”

“The original series has set a new benchmark for character-driven mysteries, and we believe our adaptation will resonate similarly,” said Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO, Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India. “The production has been progressing seamlessly, and we look forward to showcasing this exciting project on Disney+ Hotstar, thus taking our long and fruitful association one step ahead.”

Ana Langenberg, SVP Format Sales & Production, NBCUniversal Formats added: “The show’s charm has connected with viewers around the world, and with trusted partners like Banijay Asia & Disney+ Hotstar, we know this adaptation will capture the heart of the original while embracing a new cultural backdrop.”