Endemol Shine India to Adapt The Sane Psychopath

Endemol Shine India has picked up the screen rights to Salil Desai’s novel The Sane Psychopath.

Inspired by a real incident, The Sane Psychopath tracks the story of Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus, who goes on an hour-long rampage on the streets of Pune—killing 10, maiming 70 and damaging over 100 vehicles, before he is captured. A young idealistic lawyer decides to defend Lande, and in the process seeks help from a psychiatrist, a man who lost his son to the same incident.

Earlier this year, Desai’s acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery series was picked up for adaptation into a web series by another production house.

Abhishek Rege, CEO, Endemol Shine India, said, “Inspired by a real incident, The Sane Psychopath is an astounding psychological tale of a frightening murderous phenomenon of our times. Endemol Shine India is focused on developing quality content, that is gripping and globally relevant to the times we live in. What attracted us to the book is the insight the plot gives into the legal system, the state of mental health and the impact the news and headlines have on the general public. Delving into the mind of a psychopathic killer and an idealistic lawyer, Salil Desai has penned a story that matters and has the power to change the narrative.”

Desai commented, “The Sane Psychopath is my darkest novel yet and was the hardest to write. I always thought it was ‘made-for-screen’ and when Endemol Shine India decided to adapt it, I almost went insane with excitement.”

Shikha Sabharwal, publishing director at Fingerprint! Publishing, added, “When I first heard the plot for The Sane Psychopath based on this real event, it truly intrigued me. Salil has written a masterpiece! I am so delighted Endemol Shine India picked it up for adaptation and we are all so thrilled for Salil.”