How women-centric content is gaining prominence on Netflix

Films in India have predominantly had male-centric skew, with the hero dominating the screen presence, characterisation and taking the story plot forward. Female characters have mostly played supportive roles or used as a glamour factor. There have, of course, been some brilliant exceptions, such as ‘Mother India’, ‘Kahaani, ‘NH10’, ‘Queen’, ‘Pink’, ‘Mary Kom’, ‘English Vinglish’ and more. But the ‘masala’ films have stuck to the old tale of the hero as the center of their universe.

It is now time for a change. According to one of Interactive TV's 2017 study results, women account for 53% of the moviegoers. Given the size of the female audience, it is critical to meet their needs by showing more relevant films. More honest, raw, and true stories are now in demand. A demand that OTT platforms are fulfilling with several women-centric stories and themes.

Netflix has significantly gained prominence in the field of women-centric movies. Commenting on the same, Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, said, “The representation of women in entertainment has been increasing with the times and we couldn’t be happier! At Netflix, we are focused on entertaining the world with authentic stories that are a true reflection of our times and society. Be it ‘Delhi Crime’, ‘Aranyak’, ‘Masaba Masaba’, ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’, or our latest series, ‘The Fame Game’ – the characters can be determined, driven, fabulous or flawed.”

Bami further informed that since the beginning of 2020, Netflix has collaborated with over 2,400 women creators, talent, and crew on and off screen in India. She further said that half (15) of Netflix’s Original films and series in 2021 had a woman as the central character.

“Netflix has 15+ female-forward titles already announced for 2022. Apart from the already released ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’, ‘Looop Lapeta’ and ‘The Fame Game’. The upcoming titles include ‘Mai’, ‘Monica’, ‘O My Darling’, ‘Masaba Masaba Season 2’, ‘Mismatched Season 2’, ‘She Season 2’, ‘Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives Season 2’, ‘Qala’, ‘Plan A Plan B’, and ‘Khufiya’, among others,” Bami informed.

In 2021, Netflix worked with around 50 women producers, directors or writers (25 women producers and directors + 23 women writers, which is 2X the women writers in 2020.

“In addition, Netflix has worked with incredible women standup comics – Rytasha Rathore, Urooj Ashfaq, Prashasti Singh, Prajakta Koli, Sumukhi Suresh, Mallika Dua, Kaneez Surka and Sumaira Shaikh,” she added.

“Inclusivity also extends internally to all of us at Netflix as women make up 51.7% of our global workforce, up from 48.7% in 2020. This includes 6.9% growth of women directors and above, totalling 51.1%,” Bami concluded.