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Sidharth Malhotra on his character in Captain Vikram Batra biopic

Ever since Sidharth Malhotra debuted in Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year, he has worked in an array of varied genre films. Currently, he has been receiving positive responses for his performance in his last release, Aiyaary. He will be next featured in the biopic based on the Kargil martyr, Captain Vikram Batra.

“In these few years, I’ve consciously made it a point to not repeat myself or choose the easy route,” said Sidharth. "All my films have been different. When I came to the industry, being a young actor, this was my way of standing out, where I’d try new things and not just bold and edgier films. And I’m happy with the choices I’ve made —though some worked, and some didn’t, " he added.


Speaking about what took him so long to agree to work on a biopic, Sidharth said, “A biopic needs to mean something. As an actor, I need to feel the connect. A biopic is not a fictitious story. It is based on a real person and I think one needs to handle that with a lot of sensitivity. The character that I’ll be playing next is very sensitive and his story is also quite touching. When I was approached for the film, and they spoke to me about the character, I felt it means a lot to me and I have so much respect for him.”

When asked about whether he had watched LOC Kargil (2003) which had Abhishek Bachchan as Captain Vikram Batra, Sidharth said, “Yes, Abhishek played the same character, but I don’t think I’ll watch the film because it wasn’t a biopic.”

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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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