MUMBAI: Lights, camera, nostalgia! Netflix and Yash Raj Films (YRF) hit play on a golden reel of Hindi cinema memories, bringing five decades of cinematic gems to screens around the world. The streaming giant sealed a landmark partnership with India’s iconic studio, opening its vault of classics, blockbusters and heart-throbs for global audiences to binge on.
The celebration began with a star-studded line-up. Shah Rukh Khan fans were treated to nine of his biggest hits, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Veer-Zaara and Chak De! India, which dropped on November 1, marking the superstar’s birthday weekend. Salman Khan’s action-packed trio Ek Tha Tiger, Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai will roar onto Netflix on December 27, his birthday.
Romance buffs can look forward to November 14, when timeless Yash Chopra classics like Chandni, Lamhe and Silsila begin streaming. Ranveer Singh’s infectious energy arrives on December 5 with Band Baaja Baaraat and Gunday. The festive season gets even brighter with 34 YRF crowd-pleasers, including Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli and Mujhse Dosti Karoge, set to stream two at a time between December 12 and 28.
The reel keeps rolling into 2026, with the Dhoom trilogy revving up from November 28 and the Mardaani series joining on January 22. Valentine’s week will see eight heart-fluttering romances like Saathiya and Bachna Ae Haseeno streaming from February 7.
“For over 50 years, Yash Raj Films has shaped the heart of Indian cinema,” said YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani. “Bringing this legacy to Netflix lets the world experience the colour, the music and the magic of India.”
Netflix India vice president of content Monika Shergill added, “This partnership celebrates Indian cinema in all its glory, allowing fans to relive the magic while new audiences discover its timeless charm.”
Whether you’re chasing Dhoom-style thrills or humming Tujhe Dekha To in your living room, Netflix’s latest drop has turned every night into a Hindi cinema blockbuster.
MUMBAI: When Netflix arrived in India ten years ago, the streaming giant wasn’t just entering a new market, it was stepping into a nation obsessed with stories. From cricket to cinema, India has always lived in 16:9 emotion. A decade later, as Netflix celebrates its 10th anniversary here, it has become more than just a platform, it’s a pop-culture mood board, a social mirror, and occasionally, the nation’s favourite debate topic over dinner.
At FICCI Frames 2025, Netflix India, vice president of content Monika Shergill revisited the platform’s decade-long journey not as a corporate milestone, but as a cultural chronicle. “It’s been ten years of discovering stories that surprise even us,” she said with a smile. “India has taught us that there’s no such thing as one audience.”
Shergill’s words carried weight. In 2016, when Netflix launched in India, data plans were expensive, the idea of binge-watching was alien, and cable television ruled the roost. Yet, as she pointed out, “audiences were already hungry for something different, they just didn’t know where to find it.” That ‘something different’ soon arrived in the form of gritty, genre-bending originals like Sacred Games and Delhi Crime, titles that not only redefined Indian streaming but also caught the attention of global viewers.
“Shows like Delhi Crime proved that our stories don’t have to be diluted for global audiences,” Shergill noted. “They resonate precisely because they are authentic, rooted, and unapologetically Indian.”
Over the years, Netflix’s slate has stretched from the heartlands to the Himalayas, serving up thrillers, romcoms, docuseries, and biopics that mirror the country’s diversity. From Kota Factory’s monochrome melancholy to Khufiya’s cloak-and-dagger intrigue, every title seems to tap into a different emotion, language, and landscape proof that India doesn’t just contain multitudes, it streams them too.
But as Shergill highlighted, the real game-changer has been regional storytelling. “Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Bengali stories are not just finding local audiences, they’re travelling globally,” she said. “When you keep the essence local, you end up going global.” Indeed, viewership of Indian regional content on Netflix has shot up by more than 60 per cent in the past three years, while global viewing of Indian titles has doubled.
Beyond the data, there’s a shift in creative dynamics. Netflix’s approach to nurturing over 200 Indian writers, directors, and creators has created what Shergill calls “a sandbox for fearless storytelling.” Unlike theatrical cinema, where success is often measured by box-office numbers, the streaming space has allowed creators to focus on experimentation, representation, and emotional truth.
“Streaming has democratised creativity,” she said. “You could be a first-time director from Shillong or a veteran from Mumbai, your story gets the same chance to be discovered.”
That discovery is also increasingly shaped by technology. Shergill spoke of how algorithms, AI tools, and personalisation engines have made every viewer’s journey unique. “We often joke that no two people have the same Netflix,” she said. “But the magic lies in how tech quietly helps stories find the right audience, not the other way around.”
Of course, Netflix’s decade in India hasn’t been without its plot twists from the rise of fierce competition (DisneyPlus Hotstar, Prime Video, JioCinema, Zee5, SonyLiv, and more) to debates on pricing, censorship, and content localisation. Yet, as Shergill pointed out, these challenges have only sharpened the industry’s creative instincts. “Healthy competition means better stories,” she said. “It’s proof that the audience is winning.”
As India becomes one of Netflix’s fastest-growing markets, the company is doubling down on localisation not just through language, but through themes that reflect real India. Small-town aspirations, gender fluidity, generational conflict, and cultural nostalgia are no longer niche; they’re mainstream. “The stories that come from the heartland are the ones making it to hearts worldwide,” Shergill quipped.
The conversation also drifted to how streaming has blurred the lines between entertainment and experience. “Today, entertainment is no longer consumed,” she observed. “It’s lived, shared, and replayed. When people cry over a character or cheer for a show, they’re not just viewers, they’re participants.”
As FICCI Frames explored the theme of India’s creative economy, Shergill’s reflections summed up a decade where the screen became both a stage and a storyteller. “Streaming is not just about algorithms and recommendations,” she said. “It’s about emotion, connection, and the thrill of seeing your story on a global map.”
For Netflix, that map is only expanding. With new content partnerships, investments in regional studios, and a growing slate of originals, the next chapter seems poised for even more ambitious storytelling.
Ten years on, the red N has gone from being an app icon to an emotional bookmark in India’s entertainment story. And as Shergill reminded the audience, “Our best stories are still buffering and that’s the most exciting part.”
MUMBAI: One’s a streaming juggernaut. The other, a serial storyteller. Together, they’re set to write India’s next big entertainment chapter, one frame at a time.
In a move that could reshape the contours of desi drama for global screens, Netflix and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms Ltd. have inked a long-term creative partnership to co-create a diverse range of stories across formats and genres. The collaboration marks a major milestone for both powerhouses uniting Netflix’s premium production muscle with Kapoor’s cultural storytelling instinct.
With hits like Kathal, Pagglait, Jaane Jaan, and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare already under their belt, the duo’s past collaborations have blended mass appeal with narrative nuance. But this new deal isn’t just a sequel, it’s a universe-expanding reboot.
Netflix India vice-president of content Monika Shergill summed up Ekta’s impact best. She elaborated: “Ekta has been a force in shaping Indian entertainment with unforgettable stories and characters that made it to pop culture, even before hashtags existed. Her creative instinct and deep understanding of the audience’s pulse have consistently set her apart in shaping what India chose to watch and love for more than two decades. At Netflix, our focus is to serve audiences with very diverse tastes and this collaboration will bring unique stories in rooted ways, marking an exciting new chapter in our creative journey.”
Now, with this partnership, Kapoor’s flair for emotionally resonant, rooted tales is set to stream straight into the hearts (and queues) of Netflix’s 300 million-plus subscribers across 190 countries.
For Kapoor, this tie-up isn’t just business, it’s a mission. Says she: “At Balaji Telefilms, storytelling has always been at the heart of everything we do — whether through cinema, television, or digital platforms. Partnering with Netflix, the world’s leading storytelling platform known for its premium content and constant innovation, is a big moment for us. It allows us to bring powerful, culturally rooted, and emotionally resonant stories to a global audience. The beginning of this new collaboration marks an exciting new chapter where we continue to push creative boundaries and deliver content that entertains, inspires, and connects people everywhere.”
The first untitled series from the slate is already in advanced development, and if history is any cue, Kapoor’s next wave of characters will likely live rent-free in the minds of audiences for years to come.
With Netflix betting big on local stories with global resonance and Balaji armed with two decades of insight into what India loves to watch the new partnership promises not just eyeballs, but emotional buy-in. After all, when Balaji’s drama meets Netflix’s dynamism, expect nothing less than a streaming superhit.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera, transformation! The entertainment industry is in the midst of a plot twist as digital platforms rewrite the rules of audience engagement. At FICCI Frames 2025, industry stalwarts dissected the evolving landscape, debating whether theatres and streaming services could co-exist in a mutually profitable sequel or if the latter would be the ultimate showstopper.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta and Netflix India’s VP of content, Monika Shergill, took centre stage in a panel discussion moderated by Saurabh Varma of Content Engineers. The discussion zeroed in on how streaming platforms have not just altered viewing habits but also reshaped Indian storytelling.
With India’s digital entertainment market projected to hit $13 billion by 2027, streaming platforms are no longer just an alternative, they’re an essential part of the ecosystem. Shergill highlighted how Indian content is increasingly gaining global traction, with 60 per cent of Netflix India’s viewership coming from international audiences. “The power of streaming lies in its ability to amplify diverse narratives,” she said, emphasising how regional content is breaking barriers.
But does this mean curtains for theatres? Not quite, argued Mehta. “Cinema has a soul that streaming can’t replicate. But the audience is demanding smarter, more immersive experiences,” he noted. With over 10,000 screens in India, he said, exhibitors are innovating enhanced sound, premium formats, and event-based screenings are drawing viewers back.
The discussion underscored that storytelling now hinges on data-driven insights. “Streaming has democratised content creation. Today, analytics shape scripts as much as creative instincts do,” said Shergill. Mehta echoed the sentiment but warned against formulaic storytelling driven purely by metrics.
While Hindi cinema’s box office has seen a 15 per cent recovery post-pandemic, OTT subscriptions in India have skyrocketed, with 450 million users now consuming digital content. “It’s a hybrid future,” Mehta admitted. “Theatres will continue to be the temple of cinema, but streaming is the pulpit from where stories reach the world.”
With international audiences embracing Indian content like never before, streaming platforms have become a powerful gateway for cross-cultural storytelling. From rooted Indian narratives like The Railway Men to high-octane thrillers, OTT platforms are catering to an increasingly global fanbase. “It’s no longer just about Hindi cinema; it’s about India’s rich tapestry of stories,” Shergill pointed out.
Meanwhile, theatrical releases are also seeing a shift towards large-scale, event-driven experiences. Films that promise visual spectacle historical epics, superhero sagas, and big-ticket entertainers continue to bring audiences to cinemas. “The future of theatres lies in making movie-watching an event, not just a routine,” Mehta observed.
As India’s entertainment industry rides this digital wave, one thing is clear content consumption is no longer bound by screens or schedules. Hybrid distribution models are emerging, where films are simultaneously released in cinemas and on streaming platforms. Innovative experiments like pay-per-view premieres and interactive storytelling formats are also gaining traction.
“The lines between mediums are blurring, and that’s not a bad thing,” Varma concluded. “We’re in the middle of a creative renaissance where technology and storytelling go hand in hand.”
Whether it’s a theatrical blockbuster or a binge-worthy series, the show must go on and in this digital era, the audience is always in the director’s chair.
MUMBAI: If Amazon makes a big bang, can Netflix be far behind? Of course not.
Today, Netflix pulled back the curtain on its power-packed 2025 content slate, unveiling an eclectic mix of films, series, and unscripted originals. Unlike Amazon Prime Video, which hosted a lavish industry party, Netflix chose to keep things all-business—because let’s face it, they’d rather spend on content than caviar. The lineup boasts over 25 titles spanning multiple genres, ensuring that no matter what your mood, there’s a binge-worthy fix waiting for you.
Leading the charge is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood, produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. The series blends sharp industry satire with high-stakes drama, offering an inside look at the chaos of Bollywood. Expect plenty of witty references and some surprise cameos from the who’s who of Indian cinema.
Adding to the action-packed lineup, Saif Ali Khan headlines Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, a high-stakes thriller surrounding the hunt for the priceless African Red Sun diamond. Directed by Siddharth Anand and featuring Jaideep Ahlawat and Kunal Kapoor, this promises an exhilarating game of deception, strategy, and intrigue.
Netflix’s love affair with romance continues with Aap Jaisa Koi, starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Nadaaniyan, featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in a classic opposites-attract setup. Meanwhile, Dhoom Dhaam throws Yami Gautam Dhar and Pratik Gandhi into a wedding-night-gone-wrong adventure that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious.
On the Tamil front, Test delivers a compelling narrative with R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine against the backdrop of a historic Chennai cricket match. Helmed by S. Sashikanth, this direct-to-OTT release highlights Netflix India’s commitment to regional storytelling.
Comedy lovers can look forward to Toaster, a quirky family drama starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, centered around a wedding gift fiasco that spirals into chaos. Meanwhile, Delhi Crime Season 3 brings back Shefali Shah, joined by Huma Qureshi and Sayani Gupta, in a gripping investigation into human trafficking.
Fan-favorite Kohrra returns for Season 2 with Barun Sobti and Mona Singh tackling a fresh murder mystery, while Rana Naidu Season 2 sees Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati returning, this time with Arjun Rampal as their new nemesis. Additionally, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter introduces Jeet as an unyielding cop squaring off against Prosenjit Chatterjee’s political mastermind.
The thrills continue with YRF Entertainment’s Mandala Murders, starring Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta, which uncovers a series of ritualistic killings tied to a mysterious secret society. Akka, another YRF production, features Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte, and Tanvi Azmi in a revenge saga drenched in blood and suspense.
Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, and Suvinder Vicky bring raw intensity to Glory, a gripping story of vengeance and Olympic boxing aspirations. Meanwhile, espionage thriller Saare Jahan Se Accha sees Pratik Gandhi and Sunny Hinduja navigating the treacherous world of 1970s intelligence.
Netflix forays into Telugu content with Super Subbu, where Mithila Palkar and Sundeep Kishan lead a laugh-out-loud journey of an adult sex education teacher finding herself in the most unlikely of places—a conservative village.
Unscripted entertainment takes a glamorous turn with Dining with the Kapoors, offering an intimate look at Bollywood’s first family, while The Roshans traces three generations of cinematic legacy. Stand-up special Full Volume sees Vir Das returning with a fresh dose of sharp political humor and social commentary.
Oscar-nominated short film Anuja, backed by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Mindy Kaling, makes its debut, adding yet another feather to Netflix’s cap. In a groundbreaking move, Netflix has also acquired exclusive WWE programming rights for India and other territories, promising wrestling fans a knockout viewing experience.
Netflix is also diving into crime thrillers with Black Warrant, a gripping drama set in Tihar Jail, where an idealistic jailer uncovers corruption, gang wars, and deep-rooted injustice. The series has already earned a spot in Netflix’s Global Top 10 in its second week, proving its appeal worldwide.
Crime meets comedy in Dabba Cartel, where five middle-class women find themselves running an accidental drug cartel while caught in a pharma investigation. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, this darkly comic drama showcases a web of secrets, power struggles, and the sheer unpredictability of life.
Fans of The Great Indian Kapil Show can rejoice as Season 3 brings more laughs, celebrity guests, and signature desi humour. Kapil Sharma and his gang are all set to dish out fresh skits, hilarious banter, and plenty of unexpected surprises.
For cricket lovers, The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan chronicles the on-field and off-field drama of the world’s most heated cricketing contest. Featuring legends like Virender Sehwag, Shoaib Akhtar, and Sunil Gavaskar, this docuseries goes beyond boundaries to explore the history, culture, and politics that fuel this fierce competition.
Netflix is also stepping into the world of royal drama with Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter starring in The Royals, where a polo-playing prince and a high-powered CEO clash in a whirlwind of romance, ambition, and palace intrigue. Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter lead the cast in this lavish rom-com.
Netflix India VP of content, Monika Shergill emphasised the platform’s commitment to bold storytelling, stating, “In 2025, we’re redefining storytelling by pushing creative boundaries like never before, delivering an unparalleled variety of world-class entertainment. From dreamy romcoms and high-stakes dramas to action-packed thrillers, beloved fan-favorite franchises, and laugh-out-loud comedies, there’s something for everyone.”
Netflix’s 2025 slate is poised to redefine streaming entertainment in India. Whether it’s high-octane action, gripping thrillers, laugh-out-loud comedies, or heartwarming romances, one thing’s guaranteed—your binge list just got a whole lot longer. And with the rise of local-language content, expect even more diverse storytelling that speaks to every corner of India. If the 2024 lineup was a game-changer, 2025 is about to blow the roof off the OTT space.
Mumbai: Well, it did turn out to be a storm in a teacup – the huge controversy over IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, the original series on streamer Netflix.
Netflix India content head Monika Shergill met the with information & broadcasting secretary Sanjay Jaju for about 40 minutes who informed her about the sentiments expressed by a large section of the society about the Hindu code names that were ascribed to two of the Pakistani terrorists who hijacked an Indian Airlines plane from Delhi and flew it to Kandahar from where they negotiated the release of three Pakistani prisoners in exchange for freedom for the plane’s passengers. He also apprised her of the need for platforms to be sensitive while handling such topics.
Armed with research and factual documents, Shergill pointed out that the intent of the platform and the film maker was to be as factually accurate in the dramatized version as possible. And the series was based on a book Flight Into Fear by the pilot Devi Sharan (and Srinjoy Chowdhury) of the hijacked plane which also pointed out that two of the hijackers had actually referred to themselves as Bhola and Shankar as long as the plane was under their control. She pointed out to a home ministry note released around that time which also acknowledged the same. She also assured the secretary that Netflix will ensure that the content of its future projects will take into account the sentiments of the Indian public.
Later in the evening Shergill, came out with a statement saying that Netflix had updated the opening disclaimer of the series.
“For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers,” she said through a spokesperson. “The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of storytelling — and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation.”
MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting is cracking the whip on another series. This time it has summoned Netflix India content head Monika Shergill to Shastri Bhavan relating to “objectionable” treatment of the series IC814: the Kandahar Hijack which is based on the real life hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 by Pakistan terrorists.
Created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava, the show is inspired by the book ‘Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story’ Devi Sharan, who was the captain of the flight and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury
IC814 has raised a stink on social media as hundreds of social media users have objected to the Pakistani terrorists names being changed to Bhola and Shankar while the real names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim and Shakir. Several X-ers have complained that the changing of the names has been done to protect the Muslim community and besmirch Hindus.
The furore could end up being a storm in a teacup. NDTV.com, quoting a home ministry statement dated 6 January 2000, has shared that the hijackers had come to be known as Chief, (2) Doctor, (3) Burger, (4) Bhola and (5) Shankar to the passengers in the plane as this how they addressed each other.
The incident was unfortunate as the Atal Behari Vajpayee government (which was in power then) had to release three imprisoned terrorists Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar in exchange for the lives of the passengers of the hijacked plane.
Mumbai: BAFTA, the leading UK charity for the screen arts, is back with its Breakthrough programme for a fourth year in India, in partnership with Netflix. BAFTA Breakthrough India identifies and celebrates the next generation of talented professionals in the films, games, and television industries across the country. This year also marks the second time the BAFTA Breakthrough programme opens applications simultaneously in India, the US and UK regions,
BAFTA, through its mentorship and talent programme, has guided several creative individuals in the pursuit of their craft by curating an all-encompassing programme that helps breakthroughs address the barriers in their respective fields of work, sharpening their skills, and assisting them to create international networks that will accelerate their careers.
The recipients will be part of one-to-one meetings with industry stalwarts and group roundtables. They will receive professional coaching to develop their professional and creative skills. They will also get access to all of BAFTA’s training, development and networking events for the duration of the programme, i.e., 12 months, along with opportunities to network with industry members across the world through BAFTA membership. Additionally, the breakthroughs will have a PR-backed showcase.
BAFTA executive director, learning, inclusion, policy & membership Tim Hunter said: “We’re pleased to say that applications for BAFTA Breakthrough India are once again open. Thanks to the generous support of Netflix, this initiative will see us nurture a cohort of outstanding creative talent working in India’s film, television and games industries, and showcase their talents to our global membership – to be unveiled later this year.”
Netflix India vice president of content Monika Shergill said: “The BAFTA Breakthrough India programme perfectly aligns with Netflix’s vision of empowering upcoming creative voices and bringing them to a global audience. The diversity of talent unearthed in the past four years is a testament to this programme’s immense success. We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with BAFTA and discover and nurture the next generation of Indian creative voices.”
Sikhya Entertainment founder & CEO, film producer and Breakthrough India ambassador Guneet Monga Kapoor said: “India boasts of abundant creative talent, as evidenced by the past three editions of Breakthrough. I grew up at a time where access to such opportunities were unheard of. I highly encourage the next generation of creatives across film, television, and games in India to apply for this year’s programme. BAFTA Breakthrough offers invaluable resources to young change-makers in our industry, and I’m so excited to witness how this year’s participants will leverage the opportunities to refine their skills and elevate the Indian Screen Industries on an international platform.”
As the principal partner for the sixth year of BAFTA Breakthrough, Netflix continues to provide integral support towards its global expansion. Through Breakthrough, BAFTA and Netflix share a joint vision to celebrate and provide opportunities for emerging talent across the world, bringing together international communities across global networks, to develop and support stories and voices from different cultures.
BAFTA Breakthrough 2023 witnessed promising talent, including Abhinav Tyagi, who is an editor and worked on ‘An Insignificant Man’ in 2016 as editor, post producer, and chief assistant director. Shardul Bhardwaj was another cohort member who is actively working as an actor. He starred in the 2019 critically acclaimed film ‘Eeb Allay Ooo!’ and also served as an assistant director and casting director on Netflix’s 2018 film ‘Soni’.
BAFTA Breakthrough opened doors across the globe for its previous cohorts, aiding them to share spaces with some of the most distinguished and influential people in their respective industries and learn through their expertise, knowledge, and experiences to further their careers with newer perspectives.
Actress Tanya Maniktala was one of the breakthroughs during the first year of the programme in India. She starred in Mira Nair’s Netflix adaptation of Vikram Seth’s novel ‘A Suitable Boy’. In her testimony, Tanya Maniktala said, “It has been an incredible experience being associated with the BAFTA Breakthrough Programme. Thank you so much for all your guidance and encouragement.”
Alokananda Dasgupta, a music composer and director, was a part of the 2022 cohort. She had the great fortune of interacting with actress, comedian, and producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, along with directors Richie Mehta and Asif Kapadia. Comedian Sumukhi Suresh also received the opportunity to meet industry veterans like actress Ratna Pathak Shah and BBC Comedy Commissioner Emma Lawson, via the Breakthrough Programme.
BAFTA’s commitment to excellence extends to its selection process. A distinguished jury of industry experts, meticulously chosen for their diverse experience and proven track record, will evaluate applications for BAFTA Breakthrough India. This ensures a comprehensive and insightful assessment of each candidate’s potential.
BAFTA Breakthrough 2024 will culminate later this year, and the Breakthroughs/shortlisted participants from India, the US & UK regions will be concurrently revealed in a global announcement.
Application Requirements:
BAFTA is looking for candidates who:
● Aged 18 or over at the time of application ● Primarily resident in India ● Conversationally fluent in English ● Working as an Animator, Choreographer, Cinematographer, Colourist, Composer, Costume Designer, Director, Editor, Game Developer, Game Director, Game Producer, Hair/Make-up Artist, Performer, Presenter, Producer, Producer/Director, Production Designer, Series Director, Series Producer, Sound Editor/Mixer, Writer or VFX/3D Artist within the Indian film, games or television industries
**Though choreographers are not explicitly represented in BAFTA’s global membership, applicants can apply for the Breakthrough programme where, if selected, they will receive opportunities to develop knowledge and be connected with other departments and creatives across film, games and television, reflected in BAFTA’s membership and network.
They will also have:
● A recommendation letter from a relevant regional film, games or television industry organisation ● A leading professional credit on a piece of work that has been: ○ theatrically released in India between 1 June 2023 and 1 September 2024 (or is reasonably expected to at the time of application).
○ or broadcast on a television channel or OTT platform in India between 1 June 2023 and 1 September 2024 (or is reasonably expected to at the time of application).
○ or, for games, released in India on a publicly available platform between 1 June 2023 and 1 September 2024 (or is reasonably expected to at the time of application).
● A demonstrable ambition to collaborate and share their expertise with UK practitioners and/or to produce content for UK audiences
Applications for BAFTA Breakthrough India 2024 open today, 7 May 2024. To learn more about the programme, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, please visit
Mumbai: Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria is in India all the way from Los Angeles and she along with VP of content Monika Shergill, Netflix India – series head Tanya Bami met with the entire gang of The Great Indian Kapil Show including Kapil Sharma, Sunil Grover, Rajiv Thakur and Archana Puran Singh.
The Great Indian Kapil Show is the first Indian series to trend in the global top 10 TV non-english for four consecutive weeks. Loyal fans of the show have showered a lot of love on the weekly show contributing to its massive success, and this is just the beginning.
The Great Indian Kapil Show has lots more in store with a first-ever appearance of Aamir Khan as well an episode with global music sensation – Ed Sheeran. The party’s just getting started, and fans should expect nothing less than immense fun and entertainment!
Mumbai: The trending hashtag #HeeramandiKabReleaseHoga (when will Heeramandi release?) has an answer, at last. In a mesmerizing aerial spectacle above Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Race Course, Netflix and renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar premieres on 1 May.
The media and college students were joined by the heeras of Heeramandi — Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh — alongside Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions and Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, at the grand reveal. Together, they marvelled as a fleet of 1,000 drones took flight, leaving onlookers spellbound. As the anticipation reached fever pitch, the drones unveiled the series’ launch date, igniting waves of excitement among the gathered crowd.
On the eve of the date announcement, creator-director Bhansali said, “I am grateful to the entire team for their relentless passion and dedication to bring the world of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar to Netflix. With the release scheduled for May 1st, we can’t wait for audiences worldwide to watch it and shower us with their love and appreciation.”
With a lot of excitement, Monika Shergill, Vice-president-Content, Netflix India said, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is undoubtedly India’s biggest cinematic series, and the auteur, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his true signature style, has created a mesmerizing world with powerful characters that fight for their fate and that of their country. A one-of-a-kind series, it will offer a visual and visceral experience of a world only he can bring to life with such beauty and boldness. As we gear up for the worldwide premiere on May 1st, we can feel the excitement building up.”
Amidst the city’s twinkling lights, the drones formed the iconic Netflix ‘N’, followed by elements found in the series: a ghungroo (anklets), jharokha (ornate window), and an adaab (greeting). Gradually crafting the silhouette of a dancer, the drones move in unison to unveil the title logo, symbolising noor, nazaakat aur andaaz (light, refinement and style) before finally unveiling the premiere date.
