Netflix has announced a new creative partnership with Balaji Telefilms Ltd., one of India’s leading production houses, to develop original streaming content across multiple formats. The collaboration is being led by Ekta Kapoor, a well-known Indian television and film producer and an International Emmy Award-winner.
The partnership aims to create fresh, culturally rooted, and emotionally engaging stories for Indian and global audiences. An untitled series is already in advanced stages of development as part of the new slate. The content under this collaboration will be produced through Balaji Telefilms Ltd. and its divisions, which include Balaji Motion Pictures and Balaji Telefilms Digital.
This new deal strengthens the existing relationship between Netflix and Balaji Telefilms. The two have previously worked together on several well-received projects, notably titles such as Kathal, Pagglait, Jaane Jaan, and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, which was featured at the Busan International Film Festival. These productions showcased a variety of genres and received critical acclaim for their storytelling and performances.
Founded in 1994 by Ekta Kapoor and her parents, Jeetendra Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, Balaji Telefilms has played a key role in shaping the Indian entertainment landscape. The company rose to prominence with its long-running television dramas, notably Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which aired 1,833 episodes between 2000 and 2008 on Star Plus. This show was part of a broader genre of family dramas that dominated Indian television in the early 2000s.
Furthermore, under Ekta Kapoor’s leadership, Balaji has created over 18,000 hours of television content and produced more than 45 films, making it the single largest television content producer in South Asia. The company has successfully transitioned into digital platforms and continues to create content across TV, cinema, and OTT formats.
Both Ekta Kapoor and Monika Shergill, Netflix’s Vice President of Content in India, are recognized as key industry figures. They are the only two women from the Indian TV industry included in the Variety500, an annual list of 500 influential leaders shaping the global media landscape.
Speaking about the partnership, Shergill said, “Ekta has been a force in shaping Indian entertainment with unforgettable stories and characters that made it to pop culture, even before hashtags existed. Her creative instinct and deep understanding of the audience’s pulse have consistently set her apart in shaping what India chose to watch and love for more than two decades. At Netflix, our focus is to serve audiences with very diverse tastes and this collaboration will bring unique stories in rooted ways, marking an exciting new chapter in our creative journey.”
Ekta Kapoor, Founder of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, said, “At Balaji Telefilms, storytelling has always been at the heart of everything we do – whether through cinema, television, or digital platforms. Partnering with Netflix, the world’s leading storytelling platform known for its premium content and constant innovation, is a big moment for us. It allows us to bring powerful, culturally rooted, and emotionally resonant stories to a global audience. The beginning of this new collaboration marks an exciting new chapter where we continue to push creative boundaries and deliver content that entertains, inspires, and connects people everywhere.”
This strategic alliance signals a continued investment in original Indian content for Netflix, which has been expanding its presence in the region. Additionally, it reinforces Netflix’s focus on working with well-established local production houses to deliver high-quality entertainment tailored to the preferences of Indian viewers.
With the collaboration now underway, audiences can expect new content to debut in the coming months as part of Netflix’s growing Indian slate.