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Gully Boy selected for world premiere at 69th Berlin film festival

The makers of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s forthcoming film Gully Boy are yet to kick-start their promotional drive, but the film has already started creating buzz and that too in international circuits.

Helmed by well-known filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, Gully Boy has been selected for a special screening at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival scheduled to be held between February 7 and February 17, 2019.


The film, which is based on Mumbai’s street rappers Vivian Fernandes and Naved Shaikh, went on floors in January, 2018. It completed its final schedule in April, 2018. Since Gully Boy stars Ranveer and Alia, who have never worked together before, it is highly awaited by the fans of both the stars.

As soon as the announcement was made that the film has been chosen for a special screening at the Berlin International Film Festival, lead actors Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh took to their Twitter handles to express their excitement.

The movie has been selected to be screened as part of Berlinale Special, a segment of the film festival dedicated to showcasing current work of contemporary filmmakers. Besides Gully Boy, German movie Brecht and a documentary titled Watergate have also been chosen for a special screening as part of Berlinale Special.

The film’s producer Farhan Akhtar also shared the news at his Twitter handle. He wrote, “Happy to announce that Gully Boy has been selected by the Berlin International Film Festival for a special gala screening.”

Also starring Kalki Koechlin and Nakul Sahdev in prominent parts, Gully Boy is produced by Excel Entertainment and is set for its theatrical release on 14th February, 2019.

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

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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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