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‘Bridgerton 3’ star Banita Sandhu on her depression diagnosis

Sandhu, who grew up in Caerleon, South Wales, is looking forward to the next season of Bridgerton which features her in a pivotal role. The Netflix show lands on the streamer later this year.

‘Bridgerton 3’ star Banita Sandhu on her depression diagnosis

Banita Sandhu always wanted to be an actress and she realised her dream by landing the lead role in the 2018 Bollywood film October, opposite Varun Dhawan. The film, directed by noted filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, received great reviews from critics.

Sandhu, who grew up in Caerleon, South Wales, is now looking forward to the next season of Bridgerton which features her in a pivotal role. The Netflix show lands on the streamer later this year.


The actress has always been open about her depression diagnosis. In a recent interview, she talks about it yet again, saying, “I’m a big advocate for mental health and especially therapy. I was diagnosed with depression during my time at university and had to seek help. Luckily, I was able to work through it and, although it is a condition I’ll always live with, I now have the tools to be able to recognise symptoms when they flare up and how to manage them.”

She adds that therapy has also helped her understand the various characters that she plays. “You start to realise patterns and things that you do unconsciously that may stem from childhood or certain events that have happened in your life that make you act down in ways that other people wouldn’t understand. I feel through developing my relationship with myself, it has helped me develop a relationship with my characters and to be more empathetic with them. You have to be, because if you don’t understand where they’re coming from, then the audience won’t. Your job as an actor is to understand your character’s motivation and convey that to the audience, whether you agree with it or not,” she added.

Stay tuned to this space for more updates!

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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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