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Priyanka Chopra's loss turns out to be Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's gain!

Speculations about a biopic on beauty baroness Shahnaz Husain have been floating around since long. Everyone is excited to know the name of the actress who would be cast to play the titular role in the biopic and bring alive the real-life story of this acclaimed entrepreneur.

According to reports, the original choice for the biopic was India's international star, Priyanka Chopra. Director Puja Bedi wanted to rope in the actress for the role but due to her busy schedule and prior commitments, PC could not accommodate her dates and lost out on such a brilliant project.


The latest we hear that former beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been taken onboard to play the lead role in the biopic. Both Bedi and writer Kamlesh Pandey are of the opinion that Aishwarya suits the role best.

Pandey says, "Aishwarya was always our first choice. We want the tehzeeb and adab of the character to reflect. The vocabulary certainly could not be that of the Facebook and Twitter generation. Aishwarya is perfect, keeping in mind all these prerequisites."

The writer has worked with the gorgeous actress in her comeback film Jazbaa. Praising the actress, he says, "She has immense potential in comparison to the opportunities that have come her way. Bollywood has been too preoccupied with Aishwarya Rai’s beauty to challenge the actor in her."

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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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