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Netflix to release 41 new Indian shows, movies this year

Netflix to release 41 new Indian shows, movies this year

Lineup includes films with top Bollywood actors, stand-up comedy shows and original series.
04 Mar, 2021

Netflix said on Wednesday 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.

India, with its 1.3 billion people, is a vast and valuable market for the U.S. streaming service and its rivals Amazon’s Prime Video and Walt Disney Co’s Disney+ Hotstar.

The platforms, which are all offering an increasingly broad range of local language content, have been luring users with cheaper billing plans and offers.

Netflix’s new roster of 41 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 the Hindi language.

“We are taking our next big leap in India,” Netflix said on its post, saying the upcoming lineup “features more variety and diversity than we have seen before”.

India, whose Bollywood film industry makes more productions each year than Hollywood, remains a challenging market for the streaming services.

Amazon’s Prime Video has become embroiled in legal cases and police complaints over a political drama Tandav deemed offensive to Hindu religious sentiments. The U.S. service has apologised to viewers over some scenes.

Netflix has also faced court cases and complaints over some its content, with some viewers saying it promoted obscenity or hurt religious sentiments.

Netflix said some of its 41 shows to be released this year would be produced by India’s Reliance Entertainment, Viacom18 and Bollywood director Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment.

In 2019, Netflix said it planned to invest almost $400 million to develop content for India. Reuters reported last year that Netflix was in talks with Viacom18 to create shows to help expand its offerings in India.

Comments

Surya Kant Mar 04, 2021 10:55am
Enjoy the movies with popcorn.
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RAI Mar 04, 2021 11:01am
How many from Pakistan?
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Rational Guy Mar 04, 2021 11:02am
Make sure you don't "hurt" the religious sentiments of the people or you will have to issue an apology later...
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Truth Mar 04, 2021 11:39am
@Rational Guy apologies still better than getting killed.
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Science to it Mar 04, 2021 11:40am
@Rational Guy - "Make sure you don't "hurt" the religious sentiments of the people or you will have to issue an apology later..." Apology is better than being charged with blasphemy and jail for ever (or worse)
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Roma Mar 04, 2021 11:40am
As long as Netflix follow Indian rules, they are welcome.
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SATT Mar 04, 2021 11:57am
Bollywood is ban in Pakistan but some people and organisations are openly flouting the law and promoting Indian films.
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joe Mar 04, 2021 12:32pm
@RAI How many from Pakistan?" I am not sure if they produce movies in even double figures.
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Jimmy Rocks Mar 04, 2021 12:37pm
@RAI Pakistanis are busy watching Turkish dramas.
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Global Peace Mar 04, 2021 12:45pm
Where are Pakistani content ? Need to see some good Pakistani content as well.
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Random Indian Mar 04, 2021 01:06pm
Indians should be making Indian serials. This is not an achievement. A foreign company will own the brand and profit.
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Chrís Dăn Mar 04, 2021 06:11pm
@joe why you guys are always making comparisons in such a cynical manner?
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Bharat Mar 05, 2021 12:11pm
You should invest more and more. Its the largest market with most potential.Just ensure that you are careful about sensitivities of the people and the communities that live there.
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Pakistani in New Zealand Mar 05, 2021 01:55pm
There goes the neighborhood.
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kABEELAKHAN Mar 09, 2021 02:54pm
@RAI there are few, go check and then comment here if you dont have anything else to do besides being on a Pakistani newspaper.
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kABEELAKHAN Mar 09, 2021 02:55pm
@Roma come out of fools paradise please .
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kABEELAKHAN Mar 09, 2021 02:57pm
@Bharat and the BJP goons ; they also live there.
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