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Lords of Lockdown premieres at the New York Indian Film Festival

Lords of Lockdown premieres at the New York Indian Film Festival

Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty's Lords of Lockdown premiers at the New York Indian Film Festival 2022

While it is difficult to list down the adversities that the pandemic brought upon us, through their documentary, Lords of Lockdown, producers Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty, along with director Mihir Fadnavis chronicle how India breathed during the six months of lockdowns amidst the pandemic.


The documentary not only has heart-wrenching stories from the lockdown, but also real-time visuals from during the lockdown.

And well, in what is an absolute proud moment, the movie premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival, on May 7.

Lords of Lockdown chronicles the lives of four professionals, each from different walks of life that were instrumental during the pandemic: Ruben Mascarenhas from Khaana Chahiye, Washington Post journalist Rana Ayyub, Inspector General of Indian Railways AK Singh, and urogynecologist Dr. Aparna Hegde. Each of them talks about the many aspects of suffering during the lockdown and they converge on a tragedy of devastating proportions - the mass exodus of migrant workers by foot.

Here's what the director Mihir has to say about the film. “It was a visceral experience making this film, and thanks to the support of both my producers Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty we were able to make something thought-provoking and certainly unique. I hope those watching the film feel the emotional upheaval we had while making it,” he said.

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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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