Kashyap Unfiltered: ‘Netflix Is Lost in Translation—and Ted Sarandos Needs a Map

Image Source: News18

In a furious diatribe that's caused waves in the world of entertainment, renowned director Anurag Kashyap has publicly berated Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos for being oblivious to Indian audiences and prioritizing algorithms over authentic storytelling. Kashyap's diatribe comes in response to Sarandos' recent announcement regarding the early days of Netflix in India, and the launch of the pathbreaking show Sacred Games.

Key Highlights

Sarandos' Provocative Comments: In a recent podcast interview, Ted Sarandos conceded that Netflix might have made a mistake in entering India with the hard-hitting, cinematic series Sacred Games, and that perhaps a more conventional, "saas-bahu" (soap opera) style series would have been a better choice.
Kashyap's Blistering Retort: Kashyap, who co-directed Sacred Games, called Sarandos "the definition of dumb" and blamed Netflix for not knowing the Indian market, saying, "They do exactly what bad television was doing to India, and they are charging money for it".
Creative Frustration: Kashyap shared that Netflix "ghosted" him after he had given a 900-page handwritten script for a new series, attributing it to the lack of vision and courage at the platform. He expressed regret that Netflix India is now being led by individuals who are more concerned about saving their jobs than investing in courageous storytelling.
Algorithm Over Storytelling: The director had accused Netflix of being "driven solely by algorithms and subscriptions" and not considering shows with a resonance with Indian audiences and instead pushing derivative, formulaic programming.
Industry Responses: Kashyap's comments have stirred up controversy in the Indian streaming and film industry with most people concurring with his views regarding the growing divide between streaming businesses and creative professionals.

The Bottom Line

Kashyap's blunt criticism puts a spotlight on an emerging chasm between international streaming behemoths and indigenous creators. While Netflix doubles down on broad content and partnerships with television titans, the question remains: will genuine Indian storytelling have its moment, or will machines call the entertainment shots?

Source: NDTV, Times of India, Indian Express, News18, Firstpost