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Swara plays a charming English teacher in digital series Rasbhari

Riding high on the success of her latest film, Veere Di Wedding, immensely talented actress Swara Bhasker is now looking forward to the release of an upcoming digital series, titled Rasbhari. Made under the banner of Applause Entertainment, the series sees the actress in the role of a charming English teacher, Shanoo madam.

"I am always looking for roles that challenge me and satisfy my pursuit of creativity. Rasbhari has been an amazing experience. With Shanoo I was able to enjoy a role rarely seen on screen and I truly hope that her story is able to shine a light on today’s society,” says Swara.


The coming-of-age series unfolds in the Hindi hinterland and revolves around a standard 11 student who is besotted with his English teacher. Not just he; in fact, the whole male population of the town is enamoured with her bewitching beauty. The series is directed by Nikhil Bhat.

Praising the team and the whole cast, Sameer Nair, CEO of Applause Entertainment, says, “I cannot praise Shantanu’s sparkling writing enough. With his delectable turn of phrase, delightful local dialect and wicked sense of humour, every character in this ‘coming-of-age’ love story comes alive. Headlining a terrific cast of actors, Swara plays the stern English teacher who is the object of attraction for not only our young hero but for the entire male population of Meerut. Director Nikhil Bhat and producer Tanveer Bookwala have truly created a gem.”

Rasbhari to start streaming soon.

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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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