Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has once again slammed Netflix, accusing the streaming giant of not understanding India and being led by “bad television people” who misinform its top executives.
Netflix’s “Misinformed” Indian Strategy
Anurag Kashyap believes Netflix’s strategy in India is fundamentally flawed because its leadership doesn’t truly grasp the country’s audience or its unique storytelling needs. He specifically called out co-CEO Ted Sarandos, suggesting Sarandos trusts “bullshit” information fed to him by the local Indian team.
Kashyap argues that Netflix India is repeating the mistakes of traditional, low-quality Indian television. The major difference, he points out, is that Netflix is charging subscribers for content that’s often available for free on other platforms.
Lacking Originality and Courage
A significant part of Kashyap’s criticism centers on Netflix’s content production. He claims the platform celebrates the success of shows it merely acquired, rather than boldly producing original, unconventional stories itself.
He cited global hits like *Squid Game* and critically acclaimed Indian shows like *Adolescence* and *Kohhra* as examples of acquired content. According to Kashyap, Netflix often lacks the courage to back and promote truly original or daring projects from its own production slate.
Driven by Algorithms, Not Quality
Kashyap asserts that Netflix’s focus in India is overly fixated on algorithms and subscriber numbers, neglecting the quality of content. He believes their obsession with India’s large population drives them to chase subscriptions without understanding what truly resonates with audiences.
He emphasized that for subscriptions to grow organically, Netflix needs to offer content superior to its competitors. He fears this focus on metrics means a deeper understanding of quality is lost.
Internal Issues and Missed Potential
The filmmaker didn’t hold back on his view of Netflix India’s internal workings. He described the team as “tech people who’ve hired bad television people,” leading to an environment where quality storytelling takes a backseat to job security and maintaining lifestyle.
Kashyap lamented the lost potential of the streaming era, noting that audiences are increasingly turning to international content, like Korean shows, over local Netflix offerings. He believes the current leadership is more interested in panic reactions and saving their positions than fostering creativity.
- Anurag Kashyap criticizes Netflix for not understanding Indian audiences.
- He believes Netflix India’s content mirrors “bad television” and is overpriced.
- Kashyap claims Netflix boasts about acquired shows but lacks courage for original productions.
- He states the platform is overly driven by algorithms and subscriber counts, neglecting content quality.
- Kashyap describes Netflix India’s team as “bad television people” focused on job security over storytelling.
This isn’t the first time Kashyap has vocalized his displeasure with Netflix, having previously shared similar sentiments about their leadership and content strategy.
