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India Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Across genres, through hearts: How British films, shows are finding their moment
Over the past few years, British content has undergone a quiet revolution - and the world has taken note. What was once considered niche or culturally specific, now enjoys a global audience. What was once limited mostly to BBC loyalists or art-house lovers has now grown into a pop-culture we're not just talking about 'The Crown' or 'Fleabag' - the boom is far more nuanced and far-reaching than dry humour and emotional complexity to brisk runtimes and binge-worthy writing, British shows, films and even hard-hitting documentaries are winning hearts and streaming hours. But how did this happen?FROM QUIRKY TO GLOBAL PHENOMENON It didn't happen overnight, but its momentum is undeniable. Shows like 'Fleabag', 'Derry Girls', 'The Crown', and 'Sex Education' began as popular hits and then turned into household names - their characters memed, quoted, and analysed across timelines on social media. Let's not even begin to talk about Brit films - 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'The King's Speech', or the ever-famous 'Harry Potter' series, because that would mean hours of reminiscing and swooning over unforgettable the Hollywood machine still churns out glossy, formula-driven blockbusters and India holds tightly to melodrama, the Brits have carved out a space for something in-between: character-led stories with analyst Taran Adarsh talks about them, saying, 'There's no specific conversation about British programming, but generally, it all depends on strong storytelling. For instance, when I watched 'The Crown', I was hooked. I was eagerly waiting for the last segment - the Diana chapter - and was completely immersed in it.' IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FEELLet's rewind a rise of British content isn't just about a few titles making waves; it reflects a shift in viewing habits. In an era of endless content choices, audiences are looking for something that feels... real. British shows, with their low-key aesthetics, flawed characters, and emotionally intelligent writing, deliver just this sentiment, 33-year-old Anshika Singh shares, 'I think some of it, for me, at least, is that it is so sparse in its approach, be it with drama or comedy or even thriller - regardless of the genre - that the impact it leaves is like a blow, swift and sharp. Their tendency to lean towards minimalism with their art helps. It is not on your nose.'The UK content holds a long reputation for thinking fabulous. The international breakthrough began quietly with shows like 'Black Mirror', 'Luther' and 'Fleabag', with the last one being brutally honest, darkly comedic, romantic and nobody - absolutely nobody - does romance quite like the British. This is the land of 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Emma', Jane Austen's timeless tales that inspired countless love stories on screen. From 'Notting Hill' and 'Love Actually' to 'Sense and Sensibility', 'Bridget Jones's Diary', and 'About Time', British cinema has given us some of the most enduring romances of all time. On the film front, Britain has always punched above its weight. Be it period dramas like 'Atonement' and 'The King's Speech' or contemporary hits like 'Paddington', British cinema has a knack for balancing heart and humour. Documentaries like 'Amy and For Sama' have also grabbed global attention for their unflinching honesty and powerful of where the content is made, if its premise is set in the UK, or even remotely hints at British culture - it is bound to draw viewers in like moths are drawn to a flame.A prime example is 'Mirzapur' actor Priyanshu Painyulli, who is a self-proclaimed fan of 'Bridgerton' - a show born in the US but unmistakably British at to the actor shared how much he enjoyed watching the series. 'Bridgerton is a very, very interesting show - especially their take on the whole royal family. I found its music quite fascinating. They take famous pop songs and play them in an orchestral version,' he also praised Netflix's 'Adolescence', calling it one of the best shows in recent times. 'Adolescence is a beautiful show. Just the making and the thought that we should create something like this - it's truly inspiring,' he SHIFTWhile British shows have long had international acclaim, the real boom arguably began post-2018 - just as streaming services started to dominate. 'Fleabag's' second season in 2019 was a cultural reset, making 'breaking the fourth wall' cool again. Then came 'Sex Education', 'I May Destroy You,' and 'It's a Sin' - each tackling issues like consent, identity, and trauma with a sense of immediacy and honesty rarely seen on the time 'Adolescence' dropped in early 2025, viewership had already peaked. With subtitles now standard and dubbing options improving, language is no longer a barrier. Young viewers - many of whom grew up on YouTube, Tumblr, and K-dramas - have developed a taste for nuance and international storytelling. British content hits that sweet spot of feeling global, yet grounded. advertisementAnd with the rise of streaming platforms and binge culture, British content has found a whole new audience - younger, more global, and more like Netflix, Prime Video, and even Apple TV+ started investing in British titles. And suddenly, you didn't need a VPN to catch the latest season of 'Sex Education' or binge-watch 'The Great British Bake Off'. Accessibility changed the 2025, the breakout success of 'Adolescence' - a searing, dark British coming-of-age crime drama - acted as a cultural catalyst, drawing in global attention and cementing British storytelling as a force to reckon with. The show's blend of brooding intensity, emotional realism, and sharp writing resonated deeply with Gen Z and millennials people weren't just watching the content - they were talking about them. 'Happy Valley', 'This Is Going To Hurt', 'Slow Horses' or 'Aftersun' - today they are everywhere and audiences are eating it SETS THEM APART?Let us face it: most of us are tired of formulaic and lengthy storytelling. Less is more and everyone loves cultural crossovers, fresh faces, grounded characters, emotional intelligence and stories that don't spoon-feed. The content connects across is something Atharva Naidu, a 26-year-old engineer, deeply relates to. 'There is just something about British humour which I find absolutely dry and witty at the same time.'He adds, 'Being such a small country in size, they have a lot of different accents based on which part of England the show or movie is based on. It's just something about the British accent that really makes everything sound very intellectual - maybe it's the colonised minds that find that English aspirational.'Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh explains, 'It all boils down to sharp writing. Sharp writing is important. The quality is also very good. People today have access to the best content across various platforms. If something excites them, they recognise it instantly.'He continued, 'Another important factor is relatability. British content is very direct in what it shows on screen. Whether it's a romantic drama or any other genre, the relatability factor must be present.'There's something uniquely refreshing about a show that can make you laugh while also hitting you with a quiet existential crisis.'Fleabag', written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is a masterclass in this tone. It's not just comedy - it's catharsis. Similarly, 'Derry Girls' tells the story of teenagers in 1990s Northern Ireland with biting wit and unexpected poignancy. Even 'The Crown', with its grandeur, rarely slips into melodrama - instead focusses on emotional restraint and nuance. British writing is unafraid of silence, awkwardness, or ambiguity. It treats viewers as thinking beings, not passive consumers. The seasons are shorter, giving writers less time to meander and more reasons to be tight, impactful, and efficient with the that is limited episodes and compact seasons, they're tailor-made for the streaming era. You can finish a series in a weekend and still feel like you've experienced something meaningful. There's little filler, no 'mid-season lag', and plenty of room for emotional importantly, these stories don't talk down to their audiences. Whether it's 'Normal People' exploring intimacy and miscommunication, or 'Top Boy' examining crime through a human lens, British shows blend drama and character in a way that feels honest - even when the plot is high-stakes.'Ultimately, it's about how strong and sharp the writing is, along with global appeal. That's what everyone is aiming for today, apart from quality. There has to be global appeal - a show, film, short film, or series can't be made just for one country, even if it's a British platform,' noted ARE INDIANS WATCHING IT?In India, the appeal of British content lies in its relatability and freshness. Urban audiences, especially those in metro cities and college towns, are increasingly veering towards global storytelling that speaks their emotional language. There's a cultural alignment - our own love for layered family dynamics, dry humour, or biting social commentary often finds a mirror in British the accessibility of streaming platforms has democratised global content. OTT giants like Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar are pushing British content to Indian homepages, making discovery also stands out is the absence of creative overkill. Unlike certain Indian web series that stretch themselves thin across seasons, British shows often wrap up before they wear out their really makes these shows click is how they balance the personal with the political. And they're not afraid to get weird. Whether it's surreal visuals, unconventional narrative structures, or bleak humour, these shows lean into their quirks, which only adds to their charm. They don't chase virality. They simply tell a story - and somehow, that's become the most radical shows or films aren't just a trend, they're a shift. They've redefined what it means to tell a story well: concise, clever, emotionally rich, and utterly bingeable.- Ends
NDTV
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Taran Adarsh To NDTV On Saiyaara's Chances Of Crossing Rs 500 Crore In India: "For A Film With Newcomers..."
New Delhi: Ever since Saiyaara's release on July 18, 2025, Mohit Suri's film has turned out to be a pop-culture phenomenon. What makes the success sweeter is that it is a film led by newcomers - Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda who have left a lasting impression. The film has steadily gone up the ladder with a blockbuster opening at the box office, and the huge numbers have been raking in ever since then. The film has completed 3 weeks of release today. Taran Adarsh spoke to NDTV and shared his insights on whether he sees Saiyaara crossing the Rs 500 crore mark in India. Taran Adarsh says, "No, I think this is the maximum. But then this is also a huge achievement for a film with newcomers."' He adds, " Saiyaara has rewritten all records. And of course, if you look at the collection, it is the biggest opener, biggest grosser for a film starring newcomers. It's crossed the 300 crore mark, which is a first for a film starring new faces. Sharing the limelight with such biggies is unimaginable. Before the release, I'm sure a lot of people did not think this movie would work. But then the box office speaks for itself." The film entered the Rs 300 crore club on Monday, August 4, giving tough competition to films led by big stars such as Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2. It has also impacted Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2, led by Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi. On Saiyaara's International Business Saiyaara is not just making waves in India, as Taran Adarsh reiterates. He says how it has found a large audience overseas, too and is earning fantastic figures. He says, "It has worked across the globe, not just in India. That shows the potential of the film, and it's a huge blockbuster." At the global box office, it has already crossed the Rs 500 crore mark. Saiyaara Box-Office Latest Updates On August 7, Saiyaara minted Rs 1.85 crore, taking the total to Rs 308.45 crore, as per Sacnilk. Meanwhile, Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2 minted Rs 1 crore on Thursday and Son Of Sardaar 2 managed to earn Rs 1.40 crore. The films released on August 1 in theatres, two weeks after Saiyaara. Saiyaara emerged as the second-highest-grossing film of the year after Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. The film also set the record for being one of the highest-grossing opening weekends of the year. Except for Mahavtar Narsimha, neither Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2 nor Ajay Devgn's Son Of Sardaar 2 seems to pose any threat to Saiyaara's box office numbers. In A Nutshell
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
The 300-Crore Saiyaara Phenomenon And Why No Hindi Film Could Beat It: What Trade Experts Say
New Delhi: Released on July 18, 2025, Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, led by debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has turned out to be a massive pop-culture moment amongst the Gen-Z crowd. The film has steadily gone up the ladder with a blockbuster opening at the box office, and the huge numbers raking in ever since then. The film is soon going to clock 3 weeks of release on August 8, 2025. The film entered the 300 crore club on Monday, August 4, giving tough competition to films led by big stars such as Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2. It has also impacted Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2, led by Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Trade Expert Taran Adarsh talks to NDTV to give an insight into what makes Saiyaara a celebration with its 300 crore milestone. He also sheds light on the scope of it, continuing its glorious run. On The 300-Crore Box-Office Record Taran Adarsh tells NDTV that he has always believed how the box office is unpredictable and how that's the beauty of it all. He says, " Saiyaara has rewritten all records. And of course, if you look at the collection, it is the biggest opener, biggest grosser for a film starring newcomers. It's crossed the 300 crore mark, which is a first for a film starring new faces. Sharing the limelight with such biggies is unimaginable. Before the release, I'm sure a lot of people did not think this movie would work. But then the box office speaks for itself." Scene from Saiyaara So is Saiyaara now aiming to soon hit the 500 crore mark? Taran Adarsh adds, "No, I think this is the maximum. But then this is also a huge achievement for a film with newcomers." Saiyaara Vs Big Releases One of the biggest releases of July was Son of Sardaar 2, starring Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur in the lead. With the tremendous response to Saiyaara, the makers pushed the film's release to August 1, 2025. Scene from Son of Sardaar 2 On the other hand, Dhadak 2 stood firm on its initial release date, which was always August 1, 2025, despite a clash with Son of Sardaar 2 and Saiyaara's success. Scene from Dhadak 2 Taran Adarsh reacts to the impact that Saiyaara had on such important releases. He says, "On the contrary, Saiyaara has also now been impacted slightly by Mahavatar Narsimha (the film collected Rs 8 crore on Monday, August 4). The latter is also rocking the box office. So I guess we will have to see. But again, the point is, irrespective of what kind of impact Saiyaara might have had on these films, on its own, it is an epic blockbuster." Scene from Mahavatar Narsimha On Saiyaara's International Business Saiyaara is not just making waves in India, as Taran Adarsh reiterates. He says how it has found a large audience overseas too and is earning fantastic figures. He says, "It has worked across the globe, not just in India. That shows the potential of the film, and it's a huge blockbuster." Speaking of any other love stories that had such a huge impact on the audience before this and did well Internationally as well, Taran Adarsh recalls, "Those were different times. But, I do remember when Bobby (1973) led by Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia had released, that kind of craze we witnessed during Bobby; it was unprecedented, and somewhere I saw it for Saiyaara. The best thing is they are fresh faces, so it's easier to relate, and they are also brilliant actors." War 2 Incoming The biggest Bollywood release in August is undoubtedly Ayan Mukerji's War 2, led by Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. Interestingly, it is also bankrolled by Yash Raj Films, the same as Saiyaara. Scene from War 2 Taran Adarsh shares how War 2 will take over Saiyaara, " War 2 will be massive, but Saiyaara will still be running with limited screens. War 2 will have at least 60-65 crore first day opening. Also, it's releasing on August 14, which is a Thursday, and then there's Independence Day. Imagine the business." Saiyaara emerged as the second-highest-grossing film of the year after Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. At the global box office, it has already crossed the Rs 450 crore mark. Despite Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 now running in cinemas, and Mahavatar Narsimha also emerging as a solid frontrunner, Saiyaara continues to hold its ground.
India Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Mahavatar Narasimha continues unstoppable run, mints Rs 50 crore in Hindi
Director Ashwin Kumar's mythological animated film 'Mahavatar Narsimha' is drawing impressive numbers at the box office across India. Released in both 2D and 3D formats, the film is growing from strength to strength despite new releases and still competition from 'Saiyaara'.Trade analyst Taran Adarsh reported on X that 'Mahavatar Narsimha' achieved its largest single-day earnings on its second Saturday. The film is predicted to rake in even higher numbers on Sunday. "The growth on the second Saturday, compared to Friday, is a remarkable 112.26 per cent," he its tenth day at the box office, 'Mahavatar Narsimha' hit the Rs 50 crore-mark in Hindi. During its second week, the Hindi-version of the film earned Rs 5.3 crore nett on Friday and Rs 11.2 crore nett on Saturday, contributing to a total collection of Rs 49.3 crore nett. With Sunday's earnings, it grossed Rs 50 crore nett. Adarsh commented, "This is an extraordinary feat for a film that opened at just Rs 1.4 crore. Given the current trend, Rs 100 crore milestone is well within reach."India Today gave the film 3.5 stars. A part of the review reads, "'Mahavatar Narsimha' blends sacred beliefs and mysticism with human sensitivities and contemporary societal challenges. It touches upon the hell-bent mentality of gaining power and superiority because of ego, greed, lust and jealousy. Kumar's soulful storytelling makes India's ancient epics relatable across generations through its compelling narrative. The film hits the bull's eye by echoing the right emotions as the story progresses. Irrespective of whether the audience is familiar with the ancient legends and folklores, the movie keeps you thoroughly engaged."Produced by Shilpaa Dhawan, Kushal Desai, and Chaitanya Desai under the banner of Kleem Productions, the animated mythological film is presented by Hombale Films. They are the producers of the 'KGF' films, 'Kantara', and 'Salaar'.- Ends
Mint
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection Day 7: Ashwin Kumar's animated movie earns ₹7.5 crore on Thursday
Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection Day 7: Ashwin Kumar's mythological animated movie, Mahavatar Narsimha, has maintained a steady hold at the Indian box office throughout its first week on the silver screen. It is likely to see better numbers over the weekend. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Mahavatar Narsimha, which opened at just ₹ 1.75 crore on day 1, has seen its earnings significantly rise over the week. On Day 7, the movie earned ₹ 7.50 crore in all languages, bringing Mahavatar Narsimha's total earnings near ₹ 50 crore. The movie has earned ₹ 44.75 crore at the Indian box office. Mahavatar Narsimha witnessed 34.71% occupancy among the Telugu audience in 3D on Thursday. Mahavatar Narsimha had an overall 28.50% Telugu (2D) occupancy on Thursday: The 2D version of the film in Hindi saw about 21.26% on Thursday: Talking about the Mahavatar Narsimha's box office performance, industry analyst Taran Adarsh said that the movie has come as a 'surprise,' and has been witnessing 'exceptional trending, day after day'. 'Mahavatar Narsimha [Hindi version] continues to surprise with its exceptional trending, day after day… The film is expected to offer stiff competition to both new releases [#SOS2, #Dhadak2] and holdover titles in Week 2,' he posted on X, formerly Twitter. 'Now, here's the key highlight: MahavatarNarsimha has already surpassed the Week 1 business of Hombale's Kantara [ ₹ 15 cr] and KGF [ ₹ 21.45 cr] – within just one week... Truly incredible!' he added.
