Netflix’s Ted Sarandos Addresses ‘Outdated’ Comment, Highlights $2 Billion Economic Impact in India at WAVES Summit

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At the lively WAVES conference in Mumbai, I had an engaging conversation with the charismatic Saif Ali Khan from Bollywood. During our chat, Netflix’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, shared his belief that movie theaters and streaming platforms can thrive side by side, especially within India’s passionate entertainment community that revolves around fans.

In a recent conversation, Sarandos sparked debate online by labeling the traditional movie theater system as antiquated. Contrastingly, director Rian Johnson expressed his desire for the upcoming “Knives Out” sequel, titled “Wake Up Dead Man,” to be screened in numerous cinemas.

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Sarandos ignited a heated discussion online by describing the movie theater system as outdated in a recent interview. However, Rian Johnson voiced his preference for the upcoming “Knives Out” sequel, titled “Wake Up Dead Man,” to be played in multiple cinemas.

In Mumbai, Sarandos remarked, “Recently in New York, I was asked if I believed cinemas were obsolete, and I responded, they may be for certain individuals. During my interview in Manhattan, there’s a cinema on almost every street corner – you can simply stroll to watch a movie. Having grown up in a small town near Phoenix, Arizona, I had to drive 45 minutes just to catch a film.

In India, it seems that the focus is more on the fans, allowing for such occurrences without lengthy discussions about timeframes, according to Sarandos. He noted that unlike distributors, people generally aren’t engaging in debates about windows. Instead, they’re interested in enjoying movies and finding ways to access them easily. Sarandos believes that both theaters and streaming platforms can thrive side by side.

Sarandos disclosed that since 2021, Netflix’s productions in India have resulted in a $2 billion economic boost and created around 20,000 jobs for cast and crew members across 90 cities nationwide. He highlighted that Indian content accumulated about 3 billion hours of global viewership on Netflix last year.

Khan, renowned for his role in Netflix’s groundbreaking Indian series “Sacred Games,” expressed that streaming platforms represent “an incredibly freeing and extraordinary opportunity for actors worldwide.” He highlighted how this format enables more intricate character growth and narrative exploration.

Previously, our creative expressions were confined within defined boundaries. There was a particular mold, an image, a style, that dictated what we should produce. However, with the advent of streaming platforms, we now have the freedom to delve deeper and portray characters in an entirely unique manner.

Both speakers emphasized that genuine local narratives tend to resonate strongest on a global scale. As Sarandos put it, “Attempting to manufacture something for a global audience can result in creating something for no one.” He further explained that what has shown to be universally appealing, what has traveled far and been widely watched beyond its original country, are the works that have been most true to their local roots.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I find myself in awe of the parallels between India’s burgeoning entertainment scene and South Korea’s global triumph with masterpieces like “Squid Game” and “Parasite.” Ted Sarandos hinted at an imminent turning point for India, similar to the one South Korea experienced. He expressed, “You can see the foundation being laid today, and with streaming platforms such as Netflix and others, we now have a means of distribution that makes this potential reality.

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2025-05-03 18:46