Netflix India | Srishti Arya: Netflix India head of original films Srishti Arya quits

Latest to quit the company is Srishti Behl Arya, director – Original Films for India, who had joined the company in May 2018 and was instrumental in green-lighting over 35 original films over the last three years. These include ‘Guilty’, ‘AK vs AK’, ‘Bulbbul’ and ‘Serious Men’, apart from Tamil and Telugu films, ‘Paava Kadhaigal’ and ‘Pitta Kathalu’.

In the last one year, Netflix has seen exits of multiple India executives, including Swati Mohan (director, marketing) and Nimisha Pandey (director, International originals) in November; Aashish Singh (director, original films) in October; and Divya Pathak (director, publicity) in September.

May 21st will be Arya’s last day at the company.

“Leading the Netflix originals film team in India over the last three years has been the adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and have learned so much along the way,” Arya said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the stories we’ve told, from first time directors, female filmmakers, established voices and so many fresh faces. I wish this wonderful team all the very best and can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”

The first global service to enter India in January 2016, Netflix has completed five and a half years in the country. However, with its premium pricing, it has a much smaller subscriber base in the country compared to rivals Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.

As per research firm Media Partners Asia, Netflix had an estimated 4.5 million paying subscribers in India at the end of 2020, compared to over 26.6 million of Disney+Hotstar.

However, Netflix had announced in January this year that 2021 will be its biggest year so far, and unveiled a slate of 41 new originals for launch this year.