Entertainment

Netflix Provides a Showcase for Indian Cinema

By

Sandeep Singh

Netflix is promoting the best of modern Indian cinema and a diverse range of TV shows, with one film proving to be a worldwide smash hit.

The epic action-adventure film RRR, which stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, and Ajay Devgn, has achieved critical acclaim and commercial success internationally.

RRR stands for Roudram Ranam Rudhiram in the Telugu language, which is spoken by Indians living in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and the alliterative translation is Rise Roar Revolt, giving viewers an idea of what they can expect from the film. It was directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who also wrote the screenplay, and is based on a story by V. Vijayendra Prasad.

A break-through for Indian cinema

The film is extremely popular in the United States, rated as one of the top ten movies in the US, and actor Danny Devito has sung the praises of the film and Bollywood in general, commenting how the storyline remains intact throughout: “Like in RRR, it’s about the battles between everybody, but they keep up the story even in the singing.”

With the action-drama element of Indian cinema proving to be highly popular, it is no surprise to see the genre feature in a wide range of sectors in the entertainment sector.

The iGaming industry is capitalising on the popularity of the adventure theme by offering a range of slot titles inspired by the genre including Spirit of Adventure and Adventure Palace, which players in India can test out by availing themselves of the best casino bonuses, including welcome bonuses and free spins.

Alongside bonuses, online casinos have identified that slot titles from popular genres can help to attract new players.

RRR is just one of the many Indian films to feature on the streaming service, which is showcasing a wide range of Indian cinema and documentaries. The countless Indian films available on Netflix are a reaction to the news, delivered by Netflix India Vice President of Content Monika Shergill, that India has the highest viewing numbers for films on the platform worldwide.

In 2020, 80% of Indian subscribers watched at least one film each week, highlighting the huge appetite for new movie content on Netflix.

The scope of Indian cinema is underlined by the presence of Shah Rukh Khan, known as The King of Bollywood, and Amitabh Bachchan in the top ten of the richest actors in the world, alongside illustrious Hollywood film stars such as Tom Cruise, George Clooney, and Robert De Niro.

Diverse Indian-made content

But Netflix has not only invested in original Indian content with the domestic market in mind. Indian content is popular all over the world, including series from the popular true crime genre, which has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years.

Two of the most popular documentaries are Indian Predator The Butcher of Delhi, which examines the case of a killer who taunted the police in Delhi, and the House of Secrets The Buraru Deaths, which investigates the deaths of 11 members of a family in Delhi.

The platform also highlights social themes and Indian culture. In India’s Forgotten People, Deana Uppal, the actress and former Miss India UK 2012 examines the life of the Gadia Lohars, an Indian nomadic community.

In Indian Matchmaking, the arranged marriage advisor Sima Taparia provides guidance to people of Indian heritage in the United States and India. The wedding and romance reality TV show give viewers insights into the custom and how traditional methods of matchmaking can help millennials find love.

Along with The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, Indian Matchmaking is one of the most popular Netflix TV shows in India.

A diverse range of film genres

The diversity of genres on offer in Indian cinema is highlighted by the Netflix original film Darlings, a black comedy drama in the Hindi language starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma. Following the release of the film on Netflix, it achieved over 10 million viewing hours on the first weekend, the highest figures for a non-English film in India globally.

But it is the action-adventure genre that remains a rich source of movie storylines, highlighted by the hugely popular film Beast and the Baahubali Collection encompassing three films directed by S. S. Rajamouli.

The films are classified under the Tollywood title, which refers to Indian cinema created in the Telugu language spoken in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As is the case with RRR, Rajamouli uses historic elements to provide action-packed films.

Netflix is providing a platform for Indian cinema and TV shows to be seen by viewers around the world. With the epic film, RRR proving to be a smash hit across the world, the decision by the streaming service to showcase a variety of Indian films, documentaries, and TV shows is likely to pay dividends.