Streaming Success

In the wake of Oscar wins for "RRR" and "The Elephant Whisperers," India's streaming landscape is abuzz with celebratory vibes and a sense of accomplishment. Leading industry players shared their insights in two panel discussions held over the past week.

Oscar Wins Set the Tone

The mood in the country has been celebratory, even self-congratulatory, following the recent Oscar wins for S.S. Rajamouli's "RRR" and Karthiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga's "The Elephant Whisperers." This success has added to the positive atmosphere surrounding the Indian streaming industry.

Major Players Make Strides

Major platforms like SonyLIV, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and JioCinema have achieved notable success, earning International Emmy nominations and Filmfare streaming awards. SonyLIV's "Rocket Boys" received an International Emmy nod, Netflix won for "Vir Das: Landing," Prime Video's "The Panchayat Season 2" secured Best Series at the International Film Festival of India, Disney+ Hotstar triumphed with "The Night Manager" and "Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo," and JioCinema's "Asur" Season 2 emerged as one of the year's most-watched Indian shows. This collective success signifies India's growing prominence on the global streaming stage.

The Film Bazaar in Goa, South Asia's premier content market, closed with a panel featuring Prime Video, Netflix, Banijay Asia, and Jio Studios. Industry experts explored the prospects of a groundbreaking Indian global hit, prompted by Rajeev Masand's question about the absence of an Indian "Squid Game."

Producers' Vision and ZEE5 Global's Ambitions

At a Mumbai panel celebrating the launch of ZEE5 Global's U.S. aggregation platform, producers discussed the potential for groundbreaking content. Guneet Monga, producer of "The Elephant Whisperers," expressed optimism, likening the potential breakthrough to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Vishal Bhardwaj, director of the hit Netflix film "Khufiya," and Manoj Bajpayee, a leading actor, shared aspirations for an Indian equivalent of "Parasite" and stressed the importance of emotional storytelling. ZEE5 Global's chief business officer, Archana Anand, outlined the platform's ambitions to challenge stereotypes and create breakthrough content.