Anurag Kashyap has openly articulated his discontent and frustration regarding the perceived 'hypocrisy' of Netflix executives in their decision-making for content in the Indian market. The unconventional filmmaker expressed admiration for the British Netflix series Adolescence, stating that the existence of such bold content evokes feelings of jealousy, as he and his fellow Indian filmmakers are often restricted from pursuing similar creative risks.

In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Anurag lauded Adolescence, remarking, "I feel numb, envious, and jealous that someone has the freedom to create such work. The performances by child actor Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham, who not only portrays the father but is also a co-creator of the series, are remarkable. The dedication that has gone into this production is immense. I can hardly fathom the rehearsals and preparation they undertook to film each episode in a single take."

Anurag Kashyap slams Netflix India, Ted Sarandos

In the comments section of the post, the filmmaker expressed a detailed grievance directed at Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, accusing them of hypocrisy. He referenced a recent statement by Sarandos, which claimed, "every once in a while, one comes along that pushes into brand new territories, defies the limits of creativity, and features career-defining performances." The filmmaker expressed scepticism about this assertion, suggesting that the content available on Netflix India starkly contrasts with such ideals. He speculated that had this project been pitched to them, it would likely have been rejected or condensed into a 90-minute film, which he deemed improbable due to its ambiguous ending.

Furthermore, Anurag remarked on his experiences with Netflix during the production of Sacred Games, highlighting a perceived "lack of empathy" from the platform. He stated, "Having navigated two projects with them following Sacred Games, I have encountered a complete absence of empathy, coupled with a mix of cowardice and significant insecurity from the series head and the team, which continues to face dismissals. This situation is deeply frustrating. How can we hope to create something impactful and genuine when we are working alongside a group that is fundamentally dishonest and morally compromised, all while being strongly supported by leadership in Los Angeles?"

Anurag specifically criticized Netflix's top executives, Ted Sarandos and Bela Bajaria, claiming that their strategy regarding the Indian market is marked by 'hypocrisy.' He stated, "This hypocrisy from Ted and Bela concerning the Indian market of 1.4 billion people reveals that their sole focus is on increasing subscriptions, with no genuine interest beyond that. There was a time when Eric Barmack would engage with us on Facebook to collaborate on projects, but now we receive poorly executed shows like 'Saare Jahan Se Achha'—which was inadequately written and hastily produced. This project has already undergone changes in direction and has been filmed twice, which is frustrating. I find myself feeling envious of shows like 'Adolescence' and hopeless about the current situation."

Nevertheless, the filmmaker concluded his remarks on a more optimistic note. "I hope they take the feedback into account and recognize that the most successful content on Indian Netflix is primarily either acquired (such as 'Delhi Crime' and 'Black Warrant') or those they initially underestimated (like 'Kohrra' and 'Trial by Fire'). I remain hopeful for a brighter future," he expressed.

About Adolescence

Regarding 'Adolescence,' it is a British miniseries developed by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, focusing on a 13-year-old boy accused of murder. Each scene is filmed in a single take. The miniseries garnered widespread acclaim following its release on March 13.

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