The Hindi-language thriller, an adaptation of John le Carré’s post-Cold War espionage novel of the same name, has been nominated for Best Drama Series
The Night Manager, the Hindi-language crime thriller television series, a Hotstar Special, has been nominated for Best Drama Series at the International Emmy Awards 2024; it’s the only Indian series in this year’s lineup. Directed by Sandeep Modi and Priyanka Ghose, this high-stakes thriller is an adaptation of John le Carré’s post-Cold War espionage novel of the same name, which was published in 1993. With actors like Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Sobhita Dhulipala leading the charge, the show has struck a chord with both Indian and international audiences.
The series, which was released in two parts last year, follows the intense battle of wits between Shelly Rungta (Anil Kapoor), a powerful arms dealer, and Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur), a former soldier-turned-night manager at a luxury hotel, who is recruited by intelligence services to infiltrate Shelly’s dangerous world. Anil Kapoor’s Rungta is charming yet ruthless, using his wealth and influence to maintain his iron grip on the illegal arms trade. Kapoor delivers a performance that balances Shelly’s affable demeanour with his dark, manipulative core.
Building the character arcs
Kapur’s Sengupta is a man with a troubled past, who is drawn into a world far more treacherous than he could have imagined. Shaan is a complex character, emotionally scarred but determined to seek justice. Aditya’s portrayal of Shaan, oscillating between vulnerability and resoluteness, has been widely praised. His internal struggle and the moral dilemmas he faces as he ventures deeper into Shelly’s empire form the crux of the story.
Sobhita Dhulipala plays Kaveri, Shelly’s partner, who finds herself caught in the crossfire of deceit and danger. Kaveri’s role as a glamorous yet conflicted figure provides both a personal and emotional connection to the overarching narrative. Sobhita brings a quiet intensity to the role, balancing Kaveri’s vulnerability with her resilience. Tillotama Shome, another standout in the series, takes on the role of Lipika Saikia Rao, the intelligence officer who orchestrates Shaan’s infiltration. Lipika is a no-nonsense, determined agent with her own complicated history, and Shome’s portrayal of the character is grounded; it makes her a compelling figure throughout the show.
The show has succeeded — to a great extent — in adapting le Carré’s cold, calculated world of spies to an Indian setting without losing its original essence. Modi, the showrunner, has spoken about the importance of reimagining the story in a way that connects with Indian audiences while keeping the global appeal intact. “Each character has been crafted meticulously, ensuring that their arcs resonate with the local ethos,” Modi said in a release, expressing his excitement about the Emmy nomination.
One of the challenges of the adaptation was translating the geopolitical intrigue and intelligence into a context that feels relevant to Indian viewers. This involved weaving elements of Indian culture, politics, and geography into the narrative while retaining the core tension and drama of the original. The series took great care to ensure that the adaptation did justice to both its source material and its new setting.
Stunning visuals and global appeal
The series’ visual grandeur also plays the central role in its storytelling. Shot across several exotic locations, including India and the Middle East, The Night Manager is a feast for the eyes, with its sprawling desert landscapes and luxurious hotels adding depth to the suspense. Ben Jasper, the Director of Photography, captured the series’ unique visual style, making it both cinematic and intimate. This visual richness complements the drama and enhances the overall viewing experience.
The show’s production was handled by The Ink Factory and Banijay Asia, with Disney+ Hotstar as its streaming partner. According to Simon Cornwell, CEO of The Ink Factory, the team was excited to bring John le Carré’s work to life in India. Cornwell praised the way the Indian cast and crew infused the story with fresh energy, remarking that the global recognition was a testament to the series’ broad appeal. “We are elated that it has resonated with audiences on a global scale,” he said in a release.
Cast reactions to the Emmy nomination
Anil Kapoor, who has had an illustrious career spanning 45 years, expressed his delight at the nomination, calling it a “surreal feeling.” Kapoor credited the success to the entire team. “Shelly is the 140th character I have played in my career, and moments like these fuel me to go for 140 more,” he said. For Kapoor, The Night Manager represents another milestone in his long and varied career, and the Emmy nomination serves as validation for the hard work that went into creating the series.
Aditya Roy Kapur was equally thrilled. Reflecting on the recognition his first series has received, Kapur noted, “From day one, we knew we were creating something special with The Night Manager, but this Emmy nomination is beyond anything we imagined.” He credited the entire team, including co-stars Kapoor, Dhulipala, and Shome, and directors Modi and Ghose, for making the series distinctive. Dhulipala underlined the collaborative spirit behind the show’s success. “I’m so happy for our directors, our technical crew, and the entire cast for this shared joy,” she said.
A new milestone for Indian content
Deepak Dhar, CEO of Banijay Asia, called the nomination a proof of India’s growing presence on the global content stage. Dhar highlighted the challenges of producing a globally recognized story in an Indian context but noted that the result speaks for itself. “This nomination truly validates the quality of Indian content production on a global stage,” he said.
The nomination of The Night Manager at the International Emmy Awards 2024 is a proud moment for Indian television. It demonstrates not only the increasing global recognition of Indian stories but also the industry’s capacity to create world-class content. As The Night Manager takes its place among the best drama series in the world, it sets a high bar for future Indian productions aiming for international acclaim.
