Netflix Cashes in on Bollywood Star Power for First Original Indian Series 

On Thursday, Netflix proved just how much of a critical powerhouse it is, earning 93 Emmy nominations—and it’s doing everything it can to maintain its position everywhere around the world. Early Friday morning, the streaming service announced that Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan would be starring in its first-ever original Indian series Sacred Games.

“Let that soak in” seems a little dramatic, although perhaps warranted, given Khan’s robust resume of Bollywood hits, including iconic classics like Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and the Race series, as well as the English language film Being Cyrus. Khan going to Netflix is like, say, Brad Pitt going to Netflix (except hopefully successful).

Sacred Games will be a Hindi and English-language series based on the best-selling Vikram Chandra novel of the same name, about crime and politics in Mumbai. Netflix announced that it ordered Sacred Games last year, a few months after it became available in India, partnering up with Phantom Films, who gave us the critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur (currently on…Netflix).

Just yesterday, Netflix announced it would be developing its second Spanish series, Elite, after the success of Las Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls). With original series in partnership with Spain, Mexico, Korea, Japan, and Brazil, among other countries, and huge stars like Saif Ali Khan, it’s clear Netflix is doubling-down on its commitment to international content.