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Pooja Bedi's daughter Aalia Furniturewalla bags a Saif Ali Khan film

Aalia Furniturewalla, the daughter of former model-turned-actress and columnist Pooja Bedi, is set to step into the glitzy world of Hindi cinema with the upcoming film Jawani Janeman, to be bankrolled by actor-producer Saif Ali Khan.

Jawani Janeman is a coming-of-age story of a 40-year-old man and his relationship with his daughter. Apart from producing, Khan will also play the male lead in the flick while Aalia will be seen as his daughter in it.


“She has all the qualities we were looking for in the young lead, the charm and energy to take the film to the level that it needs. We are lucky to have found our perfect cast and I’m looking forward to working with Aalia,” says Saif.

The movie will be helmed by filmmaker Nitin Kakkar, who has previously directed the National Film Award-winning flick Filmistaan (2013). He is currently calling the shots for the Salman Khan-produced Notebook.

Jay Shewakramani, co-producer of Jawani Janeman, reveals that before locking Aalia, his team auditioned almost 50 aspirants. “Someone told me that Pooja Bedi’s daughter wants to act, so I checked out her pictures and sent a message to Pooja who put me in touch with Aalia’s agency. We loved her test, she’s got the film completely on her own merit,” says Jay.

Jawani Janeman is set to hit the shooting floor in March, next year.

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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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