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Director Siddharth P Malhotra quashes rumours about Hichki sequel

Hichki was one of the most loved films of the first half of the year, which did not only impressed critics but also ended up minting loads of money for the makers. After taking a long maternity break from films, Rani Mukerji made a comeback with the Siddharth P Malhotra directorial and proved her mettle once again.

Of late, there have been a lot of rumours suggesting that the makers at Yash Raj Films are planning a sequel to the successful film. However, when director Siddharth P Malhotra was contacted for a confirmation, he denied the news.


“There are no plans for the sequel. So, I am very clear she (Rani Mukerji) is doing Mardaani 2 and I am doing a different film right now. It’s a human relationship based film, and besides that, there is no Hichki 2,” said Malhotra.

The director went on to add that he would like to collaborate with both Rani Mukerji and Kajol once again in the future. “I would love to collaborate with both Rani and Kajol — it will be fun. Kajol is one of my closest friends and Rani has become a very dear friend to me,” he added.

Siddharth P Malhotra directed Kajol in the 2010 film We Are Family, also starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Rampal in the principal cast.

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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

AI Generated

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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