Netflix India’s Next Frontier Is Live Streaming, Content Chief Monika Shergill Says Slate Is Becoming Broader: ‘It’s Big, Bold and Diverse’

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Netflix has revealed its upcoming 2024 Indian slate and Monika Shergill, VP, content has outlined the streamer’s commissioning philosophy and strategy for the country.

New titles on the slate include: Luv Ranjan comedy film “Wild Wild Punjab”; Neeraj Pandey heist film “Sikandar Ka Muqaddar”; scripted Anubhav Sinha thriller series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack”; Kapil Sharma’s unscripted comedy series “The Great Indian Kapil Show”; and cricket themed docu-series “The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan,” featuring top Indian and Pakistani cricketers.

These are in addition to a host of previously announced films and returning series across multiple genres. Highlights include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s lavish period drama “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” and Nisha Pahuja’s Oscar-nominated documentary “To Kill a Tiger.” “Overall, if I look at the slate, I think the incredible diversity that we are very intentionally programmed to is something that I’m very excited about,” Shergill told Variety. “If I look back at last year, what we did was, have a very packed entertainment slate, we had a lot of critically-acclaimed titles, which also got a lot of audience love, but this year, the shift is that we have the critical acclaim titles, but I think there are a lot more for a broader audience also, with certain specific offerings.

We are operating more and more across the spectrum of audiences that we are bringing on the service.” From a film acquisitions point of view, Netflix has snared some of the highest profile titles of 2023 across India’s various language industries, including “Jawan,” “Animal,” “Salaar,” “Leo” and “Guntur Kaaram.” Shergill notes the “cross pollination” on the service, citing audience data.