'Slumdog's' Anil Kapoor on '24' gig: Kiefer's 'a brilliant actor. It's been an amazing journey'

The Fox hit series "24" may be hitting theaters near you in the foreseeable future.

The show is still going strong in its eighth season. And while renewal is undecided, it's being reported that the screenwriter Billy Ray ("State of Play") pitched his movie version to Fox execs, who are keen on the idea of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) beating the clock to save a dignitary in Europe.

The Dishrag talked exclusively with new "24" star Anil Kapoor (he plays Omar Hassan, the President of a Middle Eastern country) at the recent American India Foundation gala, where he was being honored for  humanitarian work.  

The Bollywood star is best known in the US as the game show host in "Slumdog Millionaire". And in Kiefer's opinion, he's the real deal. 

"I've had the pleasure of working with Ani as we've been shooting the 8th season of "24." Besides his immense talent, he has unbelievable grace and kindness."

We asked Ani about working on with Keifer on "24": 

"I can't believe I'm actually working with him.  He's a consummate professional and a brilliant actor. It's been an amazing journey. Loyal fans and loyal audience. The show is truly huge in India and it has an equally huge cult following worldwide. It surprises me actually, the scope this show has."

So maybe an international film version will work.

So will this be the last season of the series? And will a "24" movie start once the show ends? Seems no one has those answers. Or they're just not talking. Yet.

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