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NDTV
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Netflix Parents Are Taking Over The Indian Living Room
One of my fondest memories of growing up was rushing home after school, dumping my bag in a corner, and plonking myself on the couch beside my mum. It was ritualistic. A warm lunch, with the side of the daily drama of her favourite TV serial playing on our television. The plotline was never predictable. Someone's secret twin would appear. A long-lost son would return from the dead. Marriages, betrayals, miraculous recoveries - everything that made our jaws drop and eyes widen. With my dad, it was all about watching his eyes light up as he rewatched the same three Rajinikanth action sequences on loop. Or that emotional Hrishikesh Mukherjee film, which made him pretend he had "something in his eye". Our living room became a theatre of shorts, albeit with outdated tech and limited choices. But that was the thing. We didn't have options. Today, the rules have changed. Star Plus turned into Sony, which brought them reality shows; Sony turned into Colors, which brought them Big Boss; a version of some reality. Now, it's Netflix and other OTT platforms. Welcome to the age of the 'Netflix Parents'. The generation that once patiently waited for the 9 pm slot for their favourite show has now embraced OTT platforms with enthusiasm. And trust us, the living room dynamics are never going to be the same. So, Who Exactly Are Netflix Parents? They're in their 30s, 40s, 50s. They are not scared of technology like WhatsApp, but might donate their money to the Nigerian Prince. Now, with Netflix and other OTT platforms on their hands, they're suddenly bingeing thrillers from Spain, courtroom dramas from America, and Malayalam thrillers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by srishti garg (@srishtigargg) They're the ones with whom you can now have a conversation like, "Have you watched The Night Manager yet? Or those who you will catch on the weekends wanting to finish the last two episodes of Made in Heaven. What's Causing This Shift 1. Accessibility Like Never Before Earlier, content was linear and limited. Families watched whatever was available. Now, with OTT platforms, there's content for every taste and mood. Whether it's slow-burn romances, fast-paced thrillers, or docuseries about royal scandals, there's something for every parent. This also came with the increasing accessibility of smart TVs and cheaper plans on OTT platforms. For instance, in December 2021, Netflix introduced a Rs 149 plan for mobile phones. Moreover, with parents (also) using more social media than ever, the Reels and YouTube Shorts that often go viral from these series, might also generate a curiosity amongst them, which further pushes them to watch these shows on OTT. 2. No More Language Barrier Today's parents are watching Tamil web series with Hindi subtitles, English thrillers dubbed in Bengali, and Korean dramas with a bucket of popcorn. The barriers of language have melted, with the increased use of subtitles and dubbing in their language. Today, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer a wide range of languages for both subtitles and dubbing, making content more accessible to a wider audience. According to a recently released YouGov survey, more than seven in ten people in India (72%) prefer watching content in languages other than the ones they speak or understand, with subtitles. 3. More Free Time For many, parenting duties have scaled down. With children grown up and perhaps even moved out, this new-found time is being used not just sharing WhatsApp forwards, but for Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar. And unlike before, no one is judging them for watching "too much TV". 4. The Content Is Finally Relatable Gone are the days of slapstick comedy or over-the-top melodrama with a larger-than-life actor and his family. Today's content reflects real issues, complex emotions, flawed characters, and this resonates deeply with parents who've lived through their own rollercoasters. Shows like Delhi Crime, Guilty Minds, or Special Ops, Aarya offer depth or nostalgia, while series like Panchayat and Gullak hit closer to home. 'It's Humanising Parents' "My father can argue for hours against anyone who doesn't believe Breaking Bad is the greatest show ever." "My baba watches everything that comes out on OTT and recommends the good stuff, there are a lot of times when I am not aware about the shows but he knows everything." "it is so beautiful to see them soak in all the concepts that are apparently new for them with a lot of depth. My mom being an educator now understands things a lot better when it comes to the nitty gritty of her students, I think I have personally felt that. " "Made my dad watch Chernobyl and he thinks it's the best show to exist." These were some comments from a viral post about how Indian parents are becoming more familiar with OTT platforms. "I think having my parents watch the same show as me humanises them so much more, especially when you grow up thinking they are separate from you," the video says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shaima (@peachrinq) Clearly, this OTT evolution has become a cultural glue in many homes. The dinner table or phone calls no longer echo (only), " Beta, shaadi kab karoge (When will you get married)?" Instead, it's full of, "Don't tell me how it ends!" In a world increasingly fragmented by screens, Netflix and its OTT siblings are bringing families back to the same couch. Shared shows lead to shared jokes, theories, debates, and sometimes even tears. The living room becomes a space for bonding again, not just across generations, but across tastes. A New Kind Of Parenting These Netflix Parents are not just consuming content, they're engaging with it. They're recommending shows to their kids, arguing about cinematography, and even sharing memes. They're also more emotionally expressive than ever. A mother who earlier might have brushed off sensitive topics can now discuss mental health after watching Masaba Masaba. They are also getting familiar with issues like divorce, extramarital affairs and more, which were once considered nothing more than a taboo. It's not an exaggeration to say that they're becoming more open, empathetic, and intellectually curious, thanks to a well-timed recommendation algorithm. Interestingly, OTT is also bridging the past and present. Platforms are not just about new shows, they're reviving classics. Parents are watching old DD serials and movies that have been re-released digitally and introducing them to their children. We Are Absolutely Here For It It's easy to dismiss this lifestyle change as just another example of parents "finally catching up" with the tech-savvy younger generation. But it's more than that. This is about identity. About agency. About storytelling. And most importantly, about connection. OTT platforms have made parents open their doors not just to content but also to conversations. PS: If your parents are still resisting the OTT wave, start them off with series like Scam 1992 and Panchayat, or a gripping crime show like Delhi Crime.
India.com
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This 54-year-old film was a blockbuster, featured 9 soulful songs, including 3 major hits, the film is.., lead actors are...
This 54-year-old film was a blockbuster, featured 9 soulful songs, including 3 major hits, the film is.., lead actors are... In the ever-evolving world of showbiz, many films come and go. Some entertain us, stay with us for a little while and before we know it vanishes from our memory before we know it. but in the middle of all this, there are some rare gems that not only touch a chord but also remain etched in our memory for years to come. One such example is a cult classic that was released in 1971, and its strong message, impeccable storyline, and soulful music still resonate. The film that we are talking about is none other than Anand, giving out a profound message on life and death. This more than 5 decades old film still holds a special place in the hearts of the audience. Directed by a celebrated filmmaker, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, this cult classic had a star-studded cast with Rajesh Khanna in the lead, who played the role of an ill patient who was beyond optimistic, and Amitabh Bachchan as Dr. Bhaskar, who saw Anand's emotional journey. The plot of the film revolves around a young man who is diagnosed with cancer, but instead of feeling disdained and dejected by life, he chooses to stay optimistic and live the remaining days of his life with positivity and joy. Much like his name and the title of the film, he spread happiness despite his illness. In the supporting there are other strong performers like Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo, and Seema Deo. But besides the film that is itself a masterpiece, its music is no less. The film features 9 soulful tracks composed by Salil Chowdhury and lyrics written by Gulzar and Yogesh. The music is sung by legends like Mukesh, Manna Dey, and Lata Mangeshkar. Tracks like 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye', 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli', 'Maine Tere Liye', and 'Na Jiya Lage Na' still touch an emotional nerve of the audience today and resonate with them. Made on a humble budget of Rs. 1 crore, the film hit gold at the box office, collecting Rs. 81 crores at the box office and becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of 1971. It was also marked as the 17th consecutive hit of superstar Rajesh Khanna, and bagged multiple Filmfare Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor. Anand wasn't just a film, but it was a timeless classic that provoked the audience to think and gave a strong message on life and pain.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jaya Bachchan believes Amitabh Bachchan 'gave a better performance' than her in ‘Mili'
Directed by the esteemed Hrishikesh Mukherjee , 'Mili' was a treat for cinephiles as it was embellished by the nuanced performances of Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan . Today, the movie completes 50 years, and on the occasion of its golden jubilee, Jaya Bachchan, during an exclusive conversation with us, reflected on her experiences during the making of 'Mili' and shared her insightful thoughts. Here are the excerpts from our conversation: ''Mili' is one of my favourite films with Hrishi Kaku. I had already decided to quit, and I thought Abhimaan would be my last film before marriage. But then Hrishi Kaku…' Jaya Bachchan laughed as she added, 'It was an irresistible part.' As aforementioned, it's been half a decade! To date, no one could imagine anyone but Jaya Bachchan doing 'Mili,' not even the actress herself. She confessed, 'To be fair, I can't imagine anyone else in that character.' I think Amitji gave a better performance than I did in Mili - Jaya Bachchan Having said that, according to Jaya Bachchan, she wasn't the star performer in 'Mili.' In her opinion, it was her co-star and life partner, Amitabh Bachchan, who was exemplary in the movie. 'I think our (Jaya and Amitabh's) best films together were 'Abhimaan' and 'Mili.' I think Amitji gave a better performance than I did in Mili,' she said. 'I consider it to be one of his best performances,' quoted Jaya Bachchan. Further, in the same conversation, recalling the fond memories of working with the legendary Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Jaya Bachchan continued, 'Like all Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films, it was quick and very enjoyable. Hrishi Kaku came across as very laidback. But he knew exactly what he wanted from his cast and crew.' 'And he wouldn't rest easy until the shooting happened exactly his way,' concluded the actress. Amitabh Bachchan misses wifey Jaya Bachchan on her birthday, shares heartfelt post
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Kiran Rao says ‘stars are risk-averse'; Anurag Kashyap slams manufactured competition pitting actors against each other: ‘Nobody looks at the script'
Abhishek Banerjee's latest film Stolen has been lauded by critics and filmmakers in the Hindi film industry ever since its release. Recently, filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, and Nikkhil Advani, along with Abhishek, sat down to speak about the film and also share their perspectives on the current scenario in the Hindi film industry — where big actors are refusing to do small films and are only chasing box office numbers. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Abhishek Banerjee recalled actor Aamir Khan's mantra to strike a balance between commercial and art cinema. He said, 'I have heard Aamir Khan say that he does commercial films so that he can make films that he wants to make. I have heard from people that if you are a part of commercial cinema, you can also be a part of this cinema.' Anurag Kashyap promptly pointed out how the late actor Irrfan Khan would work on commercial films but, at the same time, pick up projects by small and indie filmmakers to fulfill his creative soul. Kiran praised her ex-husband, and said, 'Aamir has worked with so many first-time filmmakers in his career. I think it takes a certain confidence to know that the film and the material is really exciting and you are willing to take that risk. Most stars are risk-averse.' Anurag cited the example of films like Omkara and Haider, when big stars like Ajay Devgn, Shahid Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan took a chance with smaller films. He said, 'What made people like Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan do films like Omkara? What made Shahid Kapoor do Haider?' Talking about the current scenario, he said, 'There is a notion that has been created on social media and marketing where now everybody is competing to out-do each other to deliver big hits, so nobody is really looking at the script anymore. They are just looking out whether it will be a hit.' Abhishek also shared that even stars like Vinod Khanna had been part of indie films. Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani shared an interesting trivia about superstar Amitabh Bachchan and how the actor made sure to do a film with critically acclaimed filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee. He said, 'I heard from somewhere that Mr Bachchan made sure to do a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film every year.' Anurag went on to share that Rajesh Khanna actually pursued Hrishikesh Mukherjee to cast him in the 1971 film Anand. 'That's how actors were,' he said.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kishore Kumar and not Rajesh Khanna was first choice for ‘Anand': Amit Kumar
'Anand' (1971), one of Bollywood's most iconic films starring Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, could have looked very different. According to Amit Kumar, son of the legendary singer-actor Kishore Kumar, the original casting plan involved his father. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Amit revealed in a conversation with Vickey Lalwani that director Hrishikesh Mukherjee initially approached Kishore for the lead role in his film Anand. Interestingly, in Bengali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee wanted to make the film with superstar Uttam Kumar, while in Hindi, he considered Raj Kapoor and Kishore Kumar for the lead. Amit admitted, 'He was approached first. In Bengali, Hrishida (Hrishikesh Mukherjee director of Anand) want to do it with Uttam Kumar. But in Hindi it was Raj Kapoor and Kishore Kumar. Aisa kuch tha. I don't know why he didn't do it..' A Missed Opportunity Due to Misunderstanding The story behind why Kishore da missed out on Anand is as fascinating as the film itself. Reportedly, Hrishikesh Mukherjee went to the actor's house to discuss the project. However, there was an unfortunate misunderstanding. Kishore, who was upset after not being paid by a Bengali stage show organiser, had instructed his gatekeeper to shoo away any 'Bengali' visitors. Ironically, the gatekeeper unknowingly turned away Mukherjee at the gate, never letting him meet the actor! As a result, he was left out of the film. How Khanna and Bachchan Stepped In After Kishore Kumar missed the opportunity, comedian Mehmood was also considered for the project but couldn't join for undisclosed reasons. Eventually, the makers turned to Rajesh Khanna, already rising as Bollywood's superstar, and Amitabh Bachchan, then an emerging talent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The emotional, heartfelt story of Anand, about a terminally ill man who spreads joy and positivity, became a massive hit and is today hailed as a cult classic. Did Kishore Kumar dump Madhubala after knowing her illness? Hrishikesh Mukherjee's mature, understated style, free of unnecessary technical gimmicks, allowed the narrative and performances to shine. While we now cannot imagine Anand without Rajesh Khanna's immortal presence, it's fascinating to think how the film might have looked if Kishore Kumar had stepped into the iconic role.
