LONDON — India’s Hindi-language general entertainment channel Star Plus has acquired remake rights to hit sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.”Titled “Sumit Sambhal Lega,” the adaptation has been tweaked to suit Indian sensibilities, with the original writer of the series, Steve Skrovan, working closely with the show’s Indian writers. A broadcast date has not been announced yet.
The show is a Sony Pictures Television format, that has been licensed for adaptation seven times. The Star Plus deal is the show’s first in Asia.
Skrovan said: “Star Plus is the largest brand and most appropriate to get this show to people in India and even though ‘Sumit Sambhal Lega’ will revolve around the man, the relationship between his wife and the family seems to fit perfectly in Indian culture.”
Past remakes of U.S. fiction television shows in India include “Ugly Betty” adaptation “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin” that aired on Sony Entertainment Television, and a local reboot of “24” that aired on the Colors channel.
Star Plus’ parent company Star India is a wholly owned subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.
