India, with its population of one billion people, is on the shortlist of every major digital platform in the world when it comes to finding consumers. While Netflix, the game-changing streaming giant, struck a deal with Shah Rukh Khan and his Red Chillies Entertainment production house last year, Amazon, Netflix’s arch-rival has countered the move by signing an exclusive deal with Salman Khan that was announced this month.
India, with its population of one billion people, is on the shortlist of every major digital platform in the world when it comes to finding consumers. While Netflix, the game-changing streaming giant, struck a deal with Shah Rukh Khan and his Red Chillies Entertainment production house last year, Amazon, Netflix’s arch-rival has countered the move by signing an exclusive deal with Salman Khan that was announced this month.
A Deadline report noted, “The streaming service will become home to Khan’s future films where they will premiere immediately following theatrical release, and two months ahead of satellite and TV broadcast. The partnership kicks off with Khan’s latest, Tubelight, which released in late June. It will also include such library titles as mega-hits Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Kick.”
While Netflix and Amazon have landed exclusive deals with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan respectively for an undisclosed amount, both companies have also struck deals with other prominent production houses in India and are also backing original projects.
Amazon is behind Inside Edge, which is their first Hindi original web-series. The ten-episode series stars Vivek Oberoi and was made on a budget of Rs 20 crore with Farhan Akhtar serving as one of the executive producers. The streaming giant has also roped in filmmakers Zoya Akthar, Vikramaditya Motwani and Vikas Bahl to create more original content for them.
Similarly, Netflix’s India division has also launched its first original series, which is titled Sacred Games and features movie star Saif Ali Khan in the lead role. An adaptation of Vikram Chandra’s critically acclaimed bestseller of the same name, the series is set in Mumbai and focus on the nexus between organized crime, politics and corruption.
