Netflix orders Indian crime drama

Global streaming service Netflix has ordered its first original series out of India, an organised crime drama based on Vikram Chandra’s novel Sacred Games.

The Hindi-English series, which has the same name as the book, will be shot on location in India. Set in Mumbai, it follows “the city’s intricate web of organised crime, corruption, politics and espionage that lie beneath India’s economic renaissance”.

Netflix will produce the show in partnership with major Indian production company Phantom Films, which Vikas Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena founded in 2011.

“Over the last few years, I’ve watched with great excitement and pleasure as Netflix has transformed narrative television with its ground-breaking, genre-bending shows,” said Chandra.

“I’m confident that all the colour and vitality and music of the fictional world I’ve lived with for so long will come fully alive on the large-scale canvas provided by Netflix.”

Various analysts and media commentators have pointed to local productions being key to Netflix’s growth, especially in emerging markets. In India, the platform’s price point is a bone of contention, being much higher than players such as Hooq.

“We are delighted to partner with creative powerhouse, Phantom Films, to bring Vikram Chandra’s epic novel to life with the best Indian and global film talent available today,” said Erik Barmack, vice president of international original series at Netflix.

“Sacred Games reinforces our commitment to bring the authenticity of local stories to Netflix members across 190 countries worldwide.”

Netflix has now ordered international originals from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Brazil and Argentina. It has previously bought first-run rights to an Indian movie, in the shape of Brahman Naman.