iWorld
Eros Now’s original series ‘Metro Park’ releases a quarantine edition
MUMBAI: OTT platform Eros Now has announced the release of a special quarantine edition of its original series titled ‘Metro Park’. Five episodes of three to five minutes each promises to take fans on an exciting joyride as it showcases a fascinating story that revolves around the members of a Gujarati family settled in New Jersey, USA.
The first season of the original series had gained much applause in 2019.
Over the years, Indian culture has made its presence felt globally. Regardless of which part of the world we are in, our deep-rooted values have given birth to many Indian neighbourhoods. The distinctive and individual characteristics of Indians settled abroad not only capture everyone’s attention but often our desi community is seen as a catalyst for some quirkiness. Art imitates life, and that comes across in this captivating series starring Ranvir Shorey, Purbi Joshi, Omi Vaidya, Vega Tamotia and Pitobash Tripathy amongst others. The first season received several accolades and popularised the concept of e-pooja in many places, setting an all-new trend.
A perfect blend of drama and comedy, ‘Metro Park – Quarantine’ Edition is here to leave us all entertained. This time around, the residents of Metro Park can be seen in quarantine mode; however Covid2019 fails to curb the spirit of its cheerful and chirpy residents even in such challenging times. In this quarantine special edition one can witness how despite staying indoors, Kalpesh and gang adapt to the new ways of living which has become the new normal and stay cautious, creative, and maybe even a little calm.
This quarantine edition has had actors shoot their portions independently at their residences. Right from Payal taking online dance sessions to Kalpesh trying his hands at cooking – there is a lot that in the series that will keep you glued to the screen.
Eros Group chief content officer says: "The amount of love Metro Park's first season garnered last year, it got all of us at Eros Now really excited to put together a special Quarantine Edition of the show. We are aiming to deliver exciting and unique content for our viewers world over, which they can binge watch and enjoy during the lockdown. With the characters and milieu both being relatable to the current circumstances worldwide, we are confident this special edition will be showered with tons of love by the audiences.”
Ecstatic to be a part of Metro Park – Quarantine Edition, Ranvir Shorey said: “It is always a joy to work with Eros, and even more so to work on Metro Park. It is very special to me, as it was the first series that I shot for a digital platform. Shooting for Metro Park – Quarantine Edition has been truly exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time because it is entirely shot from home by the cast, which is turning into the new normal in the times of Covid – 19. I’m hopeful that Metro Park fans will enjoy watching these specials especially made for them.”
Omi Vaidya also spoke about working on this special edition of the series and added: “People are struggling in lockdown and the stories we see on tv/online suddenly seem so irrelevant and don't speak to the challenges people are facing right now. Because of Metro Park season one's success and the immense appreciation it received from audiences, we made it a point to create a special Metro Park – Quarantine Edition to give people some relief and a comedic mirror of their own lives. We are just so lucky we have such a dynamic partner like Eros Now to bring out such interesting content. It's been a wonderful experience collaborating with them as they take chances and push the envelope of quality storytelling."
Written by Ajayan Venugopalan and directed by Abi Varghese and Ajayan Venugopalan, Metro Park – Quarantine Edition will be premiering on ErosNow.com Saturday, 23 May onwards.
Trailer: bit.ly/MetroParkQE_OfficialTrailer …
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iWorld
Netflix cuts jobs in product division amid restructuring
Layoffs hit creative studio unit as leadership and strategy shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: The streaming wars may be fought on screen, but the latest plot twist is unfolding behind the scenes. Netflix has reportedly begun laying off several dozen employees from its product division as part of an internal reorganisation, according to a report by Variety. The cuts are believed to have primarily affected the company’s creative studio unit, which works on marketing assets such as in app trailers, promotional visuals and live experience content for the streaming platform.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted.
According to the report, the layoffs were not tied to employee performance. Instead, the restructuring eliminated certain roles while other employees were reassigned to different teams within the organisation.
The roles affected are understood to include designers, producers and creative specialists responsible for marketing and brand experience initiatives.
The job cuts come as Netflix adjusts its leadership structure and reshapes its product and creative teams. Last month, Elizabeth Stone was promoted from chief technology officer to chief product and technology officer, giving her oversight of product, engineering and data operations across the company.
Earlier, in December 2025, Netflix also appointed Martin Rose as head of creative for global brand and partnerships, a move seen as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s brand and product functions.
Despite the layoffs, Netflix remains one of the largest employers in the streaming sector. The company is estimated to employ around 16,000 people globally, with roughly 70 percent of its workforce based in the United States and Canada. In 2023, the company reported approximately 13,000 employees, indicating that its headcount had grown significantly before the latest restructuring.
The workforce changes arrive at a time when Netflix is navigating a shifting financial and strategic landscape in the global entertainment industry.
The streaming giant recently secured $2.8 billion in additional cash after receiving a breakup fee from Paramount Skydance following its withdrawal from a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Netflix co chief executive Ted Sarandos explained that the company had evaluated multiple scenarios during the negotiations but chose not to match the competing offer once it learned that a higher bid had been submitted.
Netflix had capped its offer at $27.75 per share and ultimately stepped back rather than pursue Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition deal, which included a personal guarantee.
Sarandos also cautioned that the financing structure behind the Paramount Skydance transaction could have ripple effects across the entertainment industry.
According to him, the debt heavy deal could trigger significant cost cutting, with David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, expected to eliminate about $16 billion in costs and potentially cut thousands of jobs as part of the integration process.
For Netflix, the current restructuring appears to be part of a broader attempt to streamline operations while continuing to invest in product, technology and global content even as the streaming industry enters a new phase of consolidation and financial discipline.
