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TIME's most influential: Deepika Padukone, the only Indian actress to be featured

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is the only Indian actress to be featured on Time Magazine's prestigious 100 Most Influential People list, and fellow actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted a shout-out to her colleague, saying she was proud of the Padmaavat actress.

Indians featured in the Influential People list also include Ola co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal and cricketer Virat Kohli.


"So happy and proud to see my friends Deepika Padukone and Virat Kohli on the #Time100 list. Big congratulations and so well deserved. #DesiPower #Represent," Chopra's tweet read.

Padukone is featured in the Artists category of the Time 100 list of 2018. Her fellow honorees include Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Gal Gadot, Sterling K Brown, Jimmy Kimmel, Guillermo Del Toro and Millie Bobby Brown.

"What an absolute honour," Padukone wrote on Instagram after the Time 100 list was announced.

In a separate post, she thanked her xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage co-star Vin Diesel for authoring her write-up for Time.

"Deepika is the best Earth has to offer. She's not just here to represent India; she's here to represent the world," Diesel wrote.

"When Deepika Padukone came in to read for one of the Fast and the Furious films, I knew instantly I was in the presence of someone very special. As soon as she entered the room, there was a synchronicity, a synergy, a chemistry, it promised great things to come," Diesel wrote on TIME website, added that Padukone was one of the best actresses he has ever worked with.

"Anyone could talk about how beautiful she is, and anyone could tell you about her unmatched comedic timing. But she isn't just a star. She's an actor's actor, dedicated to the craft," said Diesel.

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has written a bio on Kohli, featured under Titans with the likes of Roger Federer, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. "The U-19 World Cup in 2008 was very important for India, as it would define the next bunch of youngsters who would go on to represent the nation. That was the first time I watched this young, passionate player lead India," wrote Tendulkar.

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How Southeast Asian storytelling became one of Netflix’s fastest-growing global pillars

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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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