Get ready to shout “Nine-Nine!” in Hindi, as the beloved sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine is officially getting an Indian adaptation, with Kunal Kemmu stepping into the shoes of everyone’s favourite goofy-yet-brilliant detective, Jake Peralta.
According to an exclusive report by PeepingMoon, Netflix India is teaming up with Banijay Asia (known for Call My Agent: Bollywood) to bring the cult-favourite police comedy to Indian screens. The show is expected to go on floors in October, with Kunal joining the project after wrapping up his current Netflix venture, Single Papa.
A Familiar Premise with a Desi Flavour
Brooklyn Nine-Nine originally aired from 2013 to 2021, following the hilarious escapades of Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), the deadpan Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), and an ensemble including Rosa Diaz, Amy Santiago, Charles Boyle, and Gina Linetti. The show’s sharp humour, diverse characters, and progressive take on race, gender, and sexuality earned it a global fanbase.
In its Indian adaptation, Kunal Kemmu—known for his comic timing in Go Goa Gone, Lootcase, and the Golmaal franchise—will step in as the desi Jake Peralta. The series will be directed by Rishab Seth (Rishta.com, Dhoom Dhaam), with Aarsh Vora handling writing duties.
Casting for the Indian versions of Captain Holt, Amy Santiago, and the rest of the squad is underway, with the makers aiming to capture the show’s signature energy while rooting it in the Indian context.
The Internet Reacts: A Mixed Bag
The announcement has sparked varied reactions online. Some fans are eager to see the precinct in a Hindi setting, with one user sharing, “I know it could go badly buuut I’d quite like to hear these jokes in Hindi if they adapt it right.”
However, some remain sceptical, recalling the lukewarm response to The Office India. “They should not copy it exactly; it won’t work. They should loosely base the characters and Indianise the storyline,” advised one user. Another remarked, “Kunal Khemu can’t capture Jake Peralta’s essence. It will be bad, I just know it.”
The Challenge of Adaptation
Remaking beloved Western shows has always been a tightrope walk in India. While Call My Agent: Bollywood found its audience, others like The Office India struggled to capture the original’s charm. Fans argue that while Indian creators excel in original content like Panchayat and Maamla Legal Hai, adapting Brooklyn Nine-Nine will require more than direct translations of jokes and plotlines.
For the show to resonate with Indian viewers, it will need to retain its heart—smart humour, camaraderie, and social relevance—while reflecting the nuances of Indian policing and society.
A Wait-and-Watch Situation
Currently in pre-production, the series is expected to start shooting later this year. Whether Kunal Kemmu’s Peralta will win over fans of the original or the Indian precinct will carve out its own identity remains to be seen.
For now, the buzz around the adaptation has achieved one thing: it has brought Brooklyn Nine-Nine back into conversations, leaving fans—whether sceptical or excited—curious to hear how the iconic “Nine-Nine!” will sound in Hindi.
By Sulagna Kar