Local stories, global dreams: Netflix looks back at 10 years in India

MUMBAI: Netflix celebrated its upcoming 10-year journey in India at the 12th CII Big Picture Summit, with a lively session bringing together creators and industry leaders to reflect on the last decade and glimpse the future of entertainment.

Netflix India vice president of content Monika Shergill, led the conversation with actor Rajkummar Rao, writer-producer Sudip Sharma, and Sameer Nair, MD of Applause Entertainment. Shergill emphasised how streaming has opened doors for a wider pool of talent, saying it has allowed “all kinds of talent to participate in the storytelling business and share in the joy of storytelling.”

Actor Rajkummar Rao called streaming “a platform for emerging talent,” noting how countless actors, including friends who moved to the city chasing dreams, have found opportunities on digital platforms and gone on to achieve success.

Writer and producer Sudip Sharma highlighted streaming’s ability to elevate audience taste and create immersive worlds. “When you say, ‘I’m going to create a world,’ audiences now dive in over episodes and years. That depth and engagement is unique to streaming,” he explained.

Sameer Nair reflected on the global reach of Indian content. “You start by entertaining your core audience. If it clicks, it can travel further. We are a country of over one and a half billion people, and our stories are deeply local, personal and universal. Technology now allows them to be enjoyed worldwide, and that global moment will come,” he said.

The panel agreed that the next decade of Indian entertainment will be shaped by creators willing to push boundaries, experiment with storytelling, and craft narratives that spark cultural moments.