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Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D’Cruz to team up

Buzz has it that Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D’Cruz are set to join forces for the first time as renowned filmmaker Anurag Basu have approached the duo to star in his upcoming film, which is being touted as a relationship drama.

Though the makers have not confirmed it as yet, insiders reveal that the untitled project is a sequel to Basu’s 2007 film Life In A... Metro, starring a number of actors like Kangana Ranaut, Irrfan Khan, Dharmendra, Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Shetty, to name a few.


A source reveals, “Anurag has launched Ileana and they share a good rapport. So, it’s no surprise that he approached her for this film. She is equally excited for this. However, the paperwork is yet to happen. Abhishek Bachchan is too being considered for the film and Anurag has given him the narration. He has liked the script.”

“Anurag Basu is currently working on the final edit of the script and simultaneously is also locking the cast. The makers are aiming to release the movie sometime in July-August next year. But the release date isn’t final yet,” the source adds further.

Apart from Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D’Cruze, the names of such celebrities as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Rajkummar Rao and Sidharth Malhotra are also being attached to the project.

An official announcement on the title and cast of the film is awaited.

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How Southeast Asian storytelling became one of Netflix’s fastest-growing global pillars

Inside Netflix’s 50% surge: the regional creators and stories driving Southeast Asia’s global rise

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How Southeast Asian storytelling became one of Netflix’s fastest-growing global pillars

Highlights:

  • Netflix says global viewing of Southeast Asian titles rose almost 50% between 2023 and 2024.
  • Premium VOD revenue in the region reached £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore) last year, with 53.6 million subscriptions.
  • Netflix holds more than half of the region’s total viewing and remains its biggest investor in originals.
  • New rivals, including Max, Viu and Vidio, are forcing sharper competition.
  • Local jobs, training and tourism are increasing as productions expand across the region.

Last year, something shifted in what the world watched. Global viewership of Southeast Asian content on Netflix grew by nearly 50%, and this isn't just a corporate milestone; it’s a signal. Stories from Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila are no longer regional curiosities. They are now part of the global mainstream.

The numbers tell a clear story. Over 100 Southeast Asian titles have now entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 lists. More than 40 of those broke through in 2024 alone. This surge is part of a bigger boom in the region’s own backyard. The total premium video-on-demand market in Southeast Asia saw viewership hit 440 billion minutes in 2024, with revenues up 14% to £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore). Netflix commands over half of that viewership and 42% of the revenue. They have a clear lead, but the entire market is rising.

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