Anurag Kashyap Slams Netflix India As ‘Dishonest And Morally Corrupt,’ Says They’d ‘Never Make’ Show Like Adolescence

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his unfiltered opinions, has taken a sharp dig at Netflix India while praising the recently released British crime drama ‘Adolescence’.

In a scathing social media post, Anurag Kashyap accused Netflix's Indian division of lacking vision and courage.

Source : PTI

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his unfiltered opinions, has taken a sharp dig at Netflix India while praising the recently released British crime drama ‘Adolescence’. In a scathing social media post, he accused the streaming giant’s Indian division of lacking vision and courage, making it clear that a show like ‘Adolescence’ would never get the green light in India. 

Anurag Kashyap praises Adolescence

Kashyap began his post by expressing admiration for the makers of 'Adolescence' and their bold storytelling. “I am numb and envious and jealous that someone can go and make that,” he wrote, commending the creators for their fearless execution and attention to detail. He went on to call it “better than any film or anything I’ve seen.” 

Anurag's criticism of Netflix

However, his appreciation soon turned into criticism of Netflix, particularly its Indian operations. Quoting Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who had praised Adolescence for “defying creative limits” and delivering “career-defining performances,” Kashyap labeled Sarandos’ stance as hypocritical. He argued that Netflix India, despite being supported by its LA-based leadership, would never take the risk of producing such content. “Netflix.in is a totally opposite shitshow. If they were pitched this, most probably they would have rejected it or turned it into a 90-minute film (that too seems like an impossibility because it doesn’t have an ending that is black and white),” he wrote. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap10)

His unpleasant experience with Netflix

Sharing his own struggles with the platform, Kashyap recounted his unpleasant experiences post-Sacred Games. He accused Netflix India of lacking empathy and vision, describing the leadership as insecure and incompetent. “Having gone through this twice with them, it frustrates me. How do we ever create something so powerful and honest with a bunch of the most dishonest and morally corrupt people at @netflix.in?” he questioned. 

According to Kashyap, the problem isn’t just at the Indian level but extends to Netflix’s top executives in Los Angeles. He claimed their primary focus in India is increasing subscriber numbers rather than supporting meaningful content. “This hypocrisy of Ted and Bella vis-à-vis the Indian market of 1.4 billion people, where their only interest is an increase in subscriptions and nothing else,” he wrote. 

To highlight the internal dysfunction at Netflix India, Kashyap pointed to the upcoming series ‘Saare Jahan Se Achcha’, starring Pratik Gandhi. He revealed that the project has undergone multiple reshoots and director changes, calling it “half-baked” and indicative of Netflix India’s flawed decision-making. “There was a time when Eric Barmack would reach out on Facebook to create something with Netflix, and now they send you a shot show like Saare Jahan Se Achcha – which wasn’t even written properly. It has already changed directors and been shot twice,” he stated. 

Despite his strong criticism, Kashyap ended his post on a slightly hopeful note, acknowledging that some of the best content on Netflix India has either been acquired (Delhi Crime, Black Warrant) or backed reluctantly (Kohrra, Trial by Fire). “It makes me frustrated, jealous of shows like Adolescence, and envious and hopeless. I hope they learn from its reception and realise what needs to change. Fingers crossed for a better future,” he concluded.