New Indian content ‘next big leap’ for Netflix
NETFLIX said last Wednesday (3) it would release 41 shows and films in India this year, calling the move its “next big leap” in the world’s second most populous nation where video streaming services have become more popular. The streaming platform’s new roster of titles includes films with top Bollywood actors, stand-up comedy shows and original series, the company said in a blog post. Most will be in Hindi.
“We are taking our next big leap in India,” Netflix said on its post, saying the upcoming line-up “features more variety and diversity than we have seen before”.
Among the titles to be shown are Chaitanya Tamhane’s award-winning film
The Disciple, which focuses on a classical musician in Mumbai and whose executive producer is Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuaron.
Ajeeb Daastaans, produced under Karan Johar’s digital division Dharmatic Entertainment, is an anthology of four stories about relationships.
“There are so many kind of genres circulating within our development team. It’s about what instinctively talks to you,” said Johar.
“You want a film to keep brewing, which happens on a platform where you can watch a film two months or a year down the line. The two films we are coming out immediately with, one is an anthology and the other one is a pure, vintage love story,” he added.
Johar said as a filmmaker, he was trying not to “box” content.
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has produced anthology
Navarasa, which brings together nine directors to explore nine emotions.
Amala Paul, who starred in the recently released Telugu anthology Pitta Kathalu, said the streamer provides “lot of freedom” for actors and filmmakers.
“The reach with Netflix is fantastic. It has given us immense freedom as it is directed towards an audience which wants to watch good content,” she said.
Ivan Ayr’s Milestone, which was a part of the Venice International Film Festival where it was screened in the Orizzonti segment, is another festival favourite title that Netflix has acquired. The film tells the story of a recently bereaved, middle-aged truck driver, Ghalib, who is coping with a personal tragedy and simultaneously facing the threat of losing his job to a young recruit.
In 2019, Netflix said it planned to invest almost $400 million (£289m) to develop content for India. It was reported last year that Netflix was in talks with Viacom18 to create shows to help expand its offerings in India.