Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has sharply criticized Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos following recent comments about the platform's first Indian original series, Sacred Games. In a podcast with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Sarandos suggested that launching Netflix in India with a series like Sacred Games—a gritty, noir crime drama—might not have been the optimal strategy. He implied that more populist content, such as traditional "saas-bahu" soap operas, could have been a better starting point for the Indian market.(economictimes.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Kashyap, who co-directed the critically acclaimed series, responded vehemently on social media, labeling Sarandos as "the definition of dumb" and sarcastically stating that Netflix should have "started with saas-bahu" .(ndtv.com)
Sacred Games, released in 2018, starred Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and was lauded for its complex storytelling and high production values. It marked a significant shift in Indian web content and received global recognition, including a nomination for Best Drama at the International Emmy Awards in 2019 .(timesofindia.indiatimes.com, koimoi.com)
Kashyap's criticism underscores ongoing debates within the entertainment industry about the balance between artistic innovation and commercial appeal. His comments also reflect broader concerns about how streaming platforms manage non-Western content and their relationships with creators in emerging markets.(timesofindia.indiatimes.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com)
As of now, Netflix has not publicly responded to Kashyap's remarks.(economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements made by Anurag Kashyap and Ted Sarandos. The views expressed herein are those of the individuals cited and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publication.
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