By Jennifer Abella
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world was plunged into fear and came to a standstill. Various domains, including the economy and politics, ground to a halt. One of the fields dramatically affected was one that united people: the entertainment and film industry. Many found solace in movies and series, planning so-called ‘watch parties’ to connect with each other despite being physically distant. Now, as the world can finally breathe a sigh of relief, there is exciting news. Director Satrajit Sen is reuniting with actor Kian Kavousi in the adaptation of his project The Big Apple, which is currently in the works. Sen started his film career as a producer after working with the chief assistant to acclaimed directors such as Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood. Known for his previously celebrated film Michael, starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Tnusree Chakraborty, and Swastika Mukherjee, Sen has now assembled his international cast for his new project.
Following the film’s success, The Big Apple will be adapted into a thriller television series. The producers have decided to expand the story into an 8-episode season with an average running time of 1 hour per episode. While new details continue to emerge, talks are currently underway with major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video to distribute the show globally. Additionally, new producers have come on board, including Times and Images, as well as Pina Basu’s GSIC, who have signed on to co-produce the series.
The show’s storyline is similar to that of the original version. It revolves around an unethical doctor (played by Patrick Basu) and a sharp-witted agent (played by Kian Kavousi) who hunts him through the underworld. The aim is to expose the corrupt and greedy underbelly of the global medical black market. To visually depict this criminal network, filming for each episode will take place in and around different capital cities, including the United States, France, Italy, Spain, England, and India. Pre-production is set to begin shortly, aiming for a filming duration of 1 year per season.
Reprising his role as the astute agent in the series is the actor Kian Kavousi, whose stellar performance was instrumental to the film’s success. The Big Apple won the Grand Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival and was nominated at the Cannes World Film Festival and the Toronto International Women Film Festival, among other honors. This time, Kavousi is returning as the man willing to go to any lengths to bring down a nefarious criminal enterprise, but the chase now spans the globe over eight pulse-pounding hours. With the return of the main cast and additional original cast members, it is anticipated that yet another compelling performance will be delivered.
Acclaimed director Satrajit Sen’s The Big Apple is a gripping thriller reminiscent of television series in the vein of Homeland, where viewers are actively drawn in, and challenged psychologically and emotionally. With high stakes for both hero and villain, the series promises a smart, exhilarating cat-and-mouse game around the globe, blending fast-paced excitement with edge-of-your-seat suspense.
