Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Malala Yousafzai joins cast and crew of Polite Society at UK premiere

“I adored Polite Society, such a clever and captivating film about the lengths sisters will go to protect each other and support their dreams,” said Malala.

Malala Yousafzai joins cast and crew of Polite Society at UK premiere

Last night acclaimed British writer & director Nida Manzoor, and cast Priya Kansara, Seraphina Beh, Shona Babayemi, Shobu Kapoor, Jeff Mirza, Nimra Bucha, Akshay Khanna, alongside producers Tim Bevan, Olivier Kaempfer, John Pocock attended the UK Premiere of POLITE SOCIETY in Central London to celebrate its UK release.

A special guest of the evening, Nobel Prize-winning activist Malala Yousafzai, shared her excitement about the film, stating "I adored Polite Society, such a clever and captivating film about the lengths sisters will go to protect each other and support their dreams. Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya delivered such dynamite performances and I loved watching the whole cast perform all the martial arts and stunts. It’s so wonderful to see Nida Manzoor continue to share positive and complex portrayals of South Asian Muslim women.”


Untitled 3 John Pocock, Shobu Kapoor, Nida Manzoor, Jeff Mirza, Priya Kansara, Nimra Bucha, Shona Babayemi, Tim Bevan, Seraphina Beh and Olivier Kaempfer attend the special screening of "Polite Society" presented by Focus Features and Universal Pictures at The Curzon Mayfair on April 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

A merry mash-up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment, and bold action, POLITE SOCIETY follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

Stay tuned to this space for more updates!

More For You

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.

Keep ReadingShow less