Netflix, other OTT platforms boost Indian content

With the International Emmys just around the corner November 21 IST, here is a look at how various streaming sites have helped garner more Indian audience globally.

With the International Emmys around the corner, here is a look at how various OTT platforms have helped boost Indian content globally. A host of Indian personalities have been nominated this time around for International Emmys. The ceremony will take place on November 21 IST.

Not long ago, Indian cinema was thriving on talents from Bollywood, regional film industries and even from long-running television serials, and while there was no industry tradition of the immersive longform storytelling that streaming services are now known for, things seem to be changing with one global recognition after another.

Indian content gets a global boost
Yes, the Indian OTT space is finally making waves across the world, especially streaming giant Netflix, with one International Emmy Awards already in its kitty for Delhi Crime Season 1 back in 2020. It is now gearing for the next with two nominations this year.

Shefali Shah, known for her role in Netflix’s ‘Delhi Crime’ Season 2, received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress. The series delves into real-life investigations undertaken by the Delhi police and has received critical acclaim, with praise for its performances and writing.

Shefali is in the running with Connie Nielsen from Denmark, Billie Piper from the UK, and Karla Souza from Mexico.

Meanwhile, Vir Das has received a nomination for his Netflix comedy special ‘Vir Das: Landing’, sharing the category with Le Flambeau from France, El Encargado from Argentina, and Derry Girls Season 3 from the UK.

Interestingly, Delhi Crime Season 1 had bagged the Best Drama Series honour at the 48th International Emmy Awards back in 2020. This is not the first time Netflix has brought Indian storytelling to a global platform. Earlier, two web series- Lust Stories and Sacred Games – had bagged nominations along with Radhika Apte, who was nominated under Best Actress category for her performance in Lust Stories.

Similarly, this is the second time Vir Das has been nominated for an International Emmy Awards. Before this, he was nominated for ‘Vir Das: For India’ in 2021, the same year when even Nawazuddin Siddiqui bagged a nomination for Netflix film The Serious Men, directed by Sudhir Mishra.

It’s going to be a proud moment for India at the 51st International Emmy Awards, as apart from Shefali Shah and Vir Das, Jim Sarbh too has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor for his role in Sony Liv’s show ‘Rocket Boys’. The web series showcased the story of Dr Homi J Bhabha and Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, who changed the landscape of space research in India.

Jim will be competing with Gustavo Bassani from Argentina, Martin Freeman from the UK, and Jonas Karlsson from Sweden.

What’s more? In addition to the acting nominations, producer Ekta Kapoor will be honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award at the 51st International Emmy Awards gala.

If any of these artists win, it’ll be a game changer not only for them, but also for the Indian content, and of course, OTT platforms, especially Netflix, which is one of the biggest streaming giants.

All eyes on the Upcoming International Emmys
Remember how the year 2023 started on a great note with the Oscar-winning Guneet Monga and Shikya entertainment’s Netflix documentary The Elephant Whisperers? Well, that was just one of the many great Indian contents available on Netflix.

Initially, it was difficult to get the same level of access to Indian entertainment content internationally. But platforms like Netflix have made it easier than ever to get the global audience to consume ‘desi’ content. India Today