Do you remember the time Rana Naidu was released on Netflix? We wrote an article that said that Rana Naidu can put the whole OTT industry in danger. Well, that warning is finally manifested.
There is a strong possibility that OTT platforms would have to take permission before they start making any show.
Indian OTT platforms, like Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, and Amazon Prime, have been given 15 days to consider a proposal from the information and broadcasting ministry. The ministry suggests forming a committee to review scripts before shows are produced. This move comes as the government is concerned that some content on these platforms does not align with “Indian values and culture.”
The information and broadcasting minister, Anurag Thakur, stated that OTT platforms should reflect the collective conscience of the country, avoid vulgarity, and provide a healthy viewing experience for all age groups.
During the meeting, the ministry expressed concerns about vulgarity, westernization of culture, targeting specific religions, and stereotyping of Indian culture in the content. Thakur later shared on Twitter that the discussions included content regulation, user experience, and other matters.
Some specific shows and originals, such as Netflix’s Lust Stories, and Rana Naidu, were mentioned as causes for concern. The stakeholders are given two weeks to decide on the additional layer of regulation, but they have reservations about it. They believe that additional regulation might hinder growth and creativity in the industry and may lead to piracy and revenue loss. They also requested time to adapt, as the industry is relatively young.
Apart from the proposed regulation, the I&B minister emphasized simplifying user experiences on the platforms, catering to differently-abled individuals, creating more content about the history of India, and focusing on Indian mythology.