Jeffrey Archer's Bestsellers to Get Hindi and Tamil Adaptations

Applause Entertainment, a production house backed by the Aditya Birla Group and led by Sameer Nair, is set to bring six of Archer’s popular novels to life as Hindi and Tamil films and TV shows by 2026.  The lineup includes The Clifton Chronicles, Fourth Estate, First Among Equals, The Eleventh Commandment, Sons of Fortune, and Heads You Win.

These stories, loved by millions worldwide with over 300 million copies sold across 115 countries, will be reimagined to connect with Indian audiences while staying true to their original charm. Archer, the British author behind these page-turners, is thrilled but wants the adaptations to stay true to his work.

 “Don’t mess with the original story,” he said, pointing to spot-on adaptations like the BBC’s Kane and Abel.

Nair’s on the same page, promising to blend local Indian vibes with the books’ core. This comes after some Bollywood films, like Khudgarz (1987) and Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011), were accused of borrowing from Archer’s stories without credit.

• Jeffrey Archer Novels to Be Adapted into Hindi and Tamil Films by 2026
• Applause Entertainment Brings Jeffrey Archer’s Bestsellers to Indian Screens
• Clifton Chronicles and More to Get Indian Makeover in Hindi and Tamil Adaptations

These adaptations will bring Archer’s tales of ambition, love, and betrayal to Indian audiences with local actors and settings. Nair, who turned Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? into the beloved Kaun Banega Crorepati, knows how to make global stories feel like home. While Applause has tackled non-fiction adaptations like Scam 1992, this is their first go at fictional novels.

Also Read: Applause Entertainment Secures Rights to Six Jeffrey Archer Novels

The project aims to hook both Archer’s die-hard Indian fans and folks who’ve never cracked open his books. Archer called Indians “aspirational,” saying many see themselves in characters like Abel from Kane and Abel. The team’s already working on scripts and picking directors, with the shows likely landing on platforms like Netflix or ZEE5. At 85, Archer playfully nudged the team to “hurry up!” By 2026, expect his epic stories to light up Indian screens with a fresh, local spin.