Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed on Saturday that the streaming giant’s post-COVID investments in India have resulted in an economic impact exceeding USD 2 billion. His remarks came during a conversation with actor Saif Ali Khan at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
“Our investments in India have generated over USD 2 billion in economic impact, post-COVID. That’s all the jobs created, skills developed, and infrastructure supported. We’ve filmed across 100+ towns and cities in India across 23 states, and collaborated with over 25,000 local cast and crew,” said Sarandos.
The session, themed “Streaming the New India: Culture, Connectivity, and Creative Capital,” explored how digital platforms are reshaping storytelling, expanding creative expression, and positioning India prominently on the global entertainment landscape.
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of storytelling’s evolution, Sarandos said:
“It’s very difficult to predict where storytelling is headed. But what remains constant is the intent to connect with audiences.”
Saif Ali Khan, who starred in Netflix’s breakout Indian original Sacred Games, shared his thoughts on how streaming has changed the dynamics for creators:
“Earlier, we had to conform to rigid formats. Streaming has liberated actors and filmmakers from those constraints. Now, people across the globe can watch our stories, which they might have missed in traditional cinema.”
He added:
“Audiences can access diverse stories anytime, and creators have more freedom to tell them. It’s a continuous cycle of watching and making.”
Sarandos also addressed the evolving relationship between cinema and streaming platforms:
“Cinemas are not outdated. Streaming and theatres are not competitors. They can move ahead coexisting each other as the market before us is huge.”
Agreeing, Saif said his most meaningful works are those rooted in Indian heritage:
“If someone abroad asks me about my films, I talk about Omkaara or Parineeta — films deeply connected to our culture. There’s something incredibly thrilling about telling our own stories to the world.”
Both Sarandos and Khan praised the WAVES summit for fostering collaboration between global and Indian creators. Sarandos noted:
“If the ideas presented here work, they’ll succeed beyond imagination. WAVES is a fantastic platform for that momentum.”
According to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the WAVES summit aims to shape the entertainment industry’s future through innovation, cultural exchange, and global collaboration.