Sony Entertainment TV Remaking Game of Thrones for Indian Television

With Game of Thrones' Season 5 premiere on the horizon, a report has surfaced claiming Sony Entertainment TV is remaking the hit fantasy series for Indian television.

The report comes from Pakastani news outlet Ary News (via Winter is Coming). According to the site, Sony's series will be titled Rani Mahal, and like the HBO series, will follow George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice book series.

And according to Dramatize, Rani Mahal will actually be set in India in 1857 (the year of the Indian Rebellion), which would suggest there won't be fantasy elements involved. It should be noted that "Rani Mahal" is also the name of a royal palace in the city of Jhansi that was damaged by British bombardment during the 1857 rebellion.

The show will have a strong focus on the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. Here's a quick look at the plot, according to Ary News:

"Daenerys Targareyn is a character from Game Of Thrones who is also referred to as the Mother of Dragons' on account of the three dragons she commands. Originally a princess, she along with her brother were exiled when her father was killed and his kingdom sacked. The novel chronicles the rise of the determined princess as she gains strength and amasses an army to avenge her father's death and reclaim the throne. Then there are the Lannisters and the Starks, reputable, rival families who have nothing but spite for each other."

The Indian series has already found its Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Cersei Lannister. Daenerys will be played by Sakshi Tanwar, while Parth Samthaan and Anita Hassanandani will play Jon Snow and Cersei Lannister, respectively.

Of course, it will be a challenge for Sony to match the production value of the HBO series, as the the latter is able to work with a massive budget. Winter is Coming also notes India's strict censorship as a potential hurdle for the series.