Netflix’s Swati Shetty steps down

Netflix’s Swati Shetty steps down

Shetty had joined the streaming giant in 2016.

Swati Shetty

MUMBAI: Netflix international originals and acquisitions director for India Swati Shetty has put down her papers after a successful stint of more than two years with the company. Netflix confirmed the development to Indiantelevision.com via email.

Shetty, the lady responsible for Indian content licensing, was based in the US. According to a source, given the increasing importance of India in Netflix’s international business, the company now wants the India content and film acquisition role to be based out of Mumbai. Shetty, however, did not want to relocate. This is her last week in the company, the source further added.

Netflix had opened its India office in Mumbai last year and is now beefing up its team across various verticals like content licensing, production talent and marketing among others.

Over the next few years, the streaming giant intends to benefit from India’s growing video-streaming appetite, targeting the acquisition of 100 million subscribers.

Apart from sprucing up its offering with more locally produced original content, the company is also set to experiment with pricing models.

Last year, the Reed Hastings-led company hired Simran Sethi to serve as creative executive for India and be part of its International Originals Production Group.

Earlier this year, Shrishti Behl Arya was appointed by Netflix as director for international orginals, India.

Shetty, who was among the first executives for India, helped Netflix to increase its Indian content library and acquire original films with hits like Love Per Square Feet, Lust Stories and Rajma Chawal. 

Her experience spans two decades. She also worked with Star India, Walt Disney and Balaji Telefilms.