Anurag Kashyap has never been afraid of speaking his mind, and his sharp words for Netflix India have sparked a new debate. After praising the British show Adolescence, he called Netflix India “dishonest and morally corrupt,” saying they would never greenlight such content in the country. Netflix’s global content chief Bela Bajaria responded by insisting the platform serves diverse audiences and does not cater only to a narrow idea of what is premium. She defended their choices and said shows like Adolescence would be welcomed anywhere.
But here is the reality. Kashyap may be loud, but his frustration is not baseless. Netflix India has not been able to prove him wrong through its actions. Sacred Games once showed what fearless Indian storytelling could look like. Bulbbul hinted at the possibilities of experimentation. Yet, in recent years, the platform has relied heavily on big names, glossy productions, and safe choices. Star power and scale seem to have taken priority over bold scripts and daring narratives.
Bela is right when she says India has many Indias and tastes vary across regions. But that should have been the reason to push experiments further, not shy away from them. Instead of creating groundbreaking stories, Netflix India seems to be chasing familiar formulas.
The hunger for risk and originality is missing. Kashyap’s complaint stings because viewers can sense that Netflix India is playing it safe. And when the safest path becomes the default, the promise of something truly fresh fades away.