Anurag Kashyap blasts Netflix India calling its top bosses hypocritical after watching their global hit Adolescence

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has openly slammed Netflix India’s approach to content selection, accusing the platform’s top executives of being inconsistent and restrictive when it comes to Indian storytelling.

Expressing admiration for the British drama Adolescence, Kashyap admitted feeling both envious and frustrated, as he believes Indian filmmakers are not afforded the same creative freedom.

In an expletive-laden post, he claimed the Netflix India bosses lacked vision and courage to back strong and compelling content. Interestingly, he began his post on a benign note before venturing into a scathing critique of Netflix India top management.

He first lauded Adolescence for its bold storytelling and outstanding performances, particularly by child actor Owen Cooper and co-creator Stephen Graham. He highlighted the series’ unique execution, where every episode was filmed in a single continuous shot, and marveled at the level of preparation involved.

"I am numb and envious that someone was able to create something like this. The performances, the effort, the sheer commitment to storytelling—it’s remarkable," he wrote.

But the praise was quickly replaced by anger and frustration as he went full-throttle in his criticism of Netflix India and its leadership, including CEO Ted Sarandos and Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.

Responding to a statement by Sarandos about groundbreaking storytelling, he called out what he perceives as a stark contrast between Netflix’s global ambitions and its operations in India.

"If Adolescence had been pitched to Netflix India, they would have likely rejected it or forced it into a 90-minute film. The Indian arm operates with insecurity and lacks the courage to back unconventional stories," he alleged.

Recalling his own experiences while working on Sacred Games, Kashyap described the platform’s Indian division as plagued by frequent personnel changes and an unwillingness to take risks. He accused Netflix India of prioritising subscriber growth over storytelling integrity and labeled their approach "morally corrupt."

Despite his sharp critique, Kashyap ended on a somewhat hopeful note, urging Netflix to recognise the success of its most acclaimed Indian projects—many of which, he pointed out, were either acquired (Delhi Crime, Black Warrant) or originally undervalued (Kohrra, Trial by Fire).

"I hope they take lessons from the reception of Adolescence and realise that their best Indian productions often come from projects they initially overlooked," he concluded.

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, Adolescence is a British miniseries that follows a 13-year-old boy accused of murder. Shot entirely in single takes, the series has received widespread critical acclaim since its release on March 13.