Netflix, world’s largest on-demand entertainment service has announced their sizzling new plans targeting India and China.
In their fresh salvo to take on Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video, Netflix has announced 7 new shows, which will be exclusive on their platform, for India.
This includes, hold your breath, a brand new series of Baahubali, and Shahrukh Khan backed web series.
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Prequel To Baahubali Will Stream On Netflix!
Netflix will produce a never seen before prequel to Baahubali, called Baahubali: Before The Beginning, which will be a spin-off series based on SS Rajamouli’s epic film series.
Based on Anand Neelakantan’s book, “The Rise of Sivagami“, this will tell the story of Queen Sivagami from the fictional world of Mahishmati. This new series will be prequel to both “Baahubali: the Beginning” and “Baahubali: the Conclusion”, which were released on the big screen.
But Baahubali: Before The Beginning will be Netflix exclusive.
The production house behind the Baahubali series have been roped in by Netflix, which includes Arka Media Works and Director Rajamouli. Deva Katta and Praveen Sataru would be co-directors.
Shahrukh Khan, Anil Kapoor Backed Shows On Netflix
Besides Baahubali prequel, 6 other exclusive shows have been annonced.
Prominent among these are Bard of Blood, which stars Emraan Hashmi and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is co-producing it.
Selection Day is another such exclusive show, which will be co-produced by Anil Kapoor. Deepa Mehta’s Leila will be a feminist drama while Midnight’s Children’ adaptation will be also produced.
Netflix’s Focus: India And South Asia
As per incoming reports, Netflix is focussing right now entirely on India and South Asia, and have planned more than 70 exclusive shows for the region.
Riding high on the success of Sacred Games and other exclusive shows premiered in India, Netflix wants to target the young and restless generation of Indians, who want to watch quality series, and have no qualms in spending Rs 500 per month to watch them.
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said, “Great stories can come from anywhere and right now, they are coming to us from Asia,”
Plans For India Will Be Cheaper?
Netflix has right now more than 130 million users from 27 countries, and quite optimistic for India right now.
They crossed half a million paid users in India in August this year, and plans to ramp up efforts to cross 1 million very soon.
Netflix entered India is 2016, and have already estimated to crossed Rs 100 crore revenues from Indian operations this year. They reported revenues of Rs 58 crore in the first 6 months, and profit of Rs 20 lakh.
As per some reports, Netflix can bring down their prices in India, very soon.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.