iWorld
Netflix original ‘Sacred Games’ gets entangled in legalities
MUMBAI: Even as Netflix’s Sacred Games gets entangled in legal tangle, media reports suggested MIB is mulling content guidelines for web series, as per a report by Republic TV.
Media reports also stated that the health ministry is upset that web series on OTT platforms don’t run the scroll relating to dangers of tobacco and alcohol when such substances are shown being consumed by characters. Such messages appear in films and most TV serials.
Within a few days of its release, Netflix’s first Indian original Sacred Games has got into legal trouble. According to a Press Trust of India report, the Delhi High Court will hear a plea against the series on 16 July which sought removal of certain scenes. Some of its content has been claimed as inappropriate and derogatory in nature.
The division bench, comprising Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar before whom the matter came up, said it would go through the petition and CD. The allegation against the series is that certain scenes and dialogues in the show defame former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The show allegedly “incorrectly depicts historical events of the country like Bofors case, Shah Bano case, Babri Masjid case and communal riots”. Petitioner advocate Nikhil Bhalla filed the plea through advocate Shashank Garg.
The petitioners have asked through the plea to direct Netflix and the producer of the show Phantom Films to remove the alleged scenes as well as centre to ensure the act.
Netflix finally started streaming its much-hyped first Indian original series last week starring Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
