Monika Shergill Looks Back at 10 Years of Creativity, Culture, and Global Reach
Mumbai, October 9: Netflix India completed a decade of revolutionizing Indian entertainment at FICCI Frames 2025. Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content, Netflix India, reminisced about 10 years of storytelling that transformed the way India creates, views, and consumes its stories globally.
A Decade Driven by Audiences
Netflix India’s success was attributed to Shergill to its fervent audience.
“This journey is really about the audiences. India’s deep love for entertainment fuels everything we do — giving meaning to stories that travel across the world.”
**Global Breakthroughs: From *Sacred Games* to *The Bads of Bollywood
The history of Netflix India has been characterized by breakthrough titles that propelled Indian stories onto the global platform.
“Each milestone counts — Sacred Games broke the gates abroad, Delhi Crime and Vir Das took home International Emmys, and RRR and Gangubai Kathiawadi made waves across the world. Today, The Ba*ds of Bollywood and Saiyaara carry on that tradition.”
Streaming Revolutionized Storytelling
Shergill emphasized how streaming revolutionized watching from a “push” model to a “pull” model.
“Previously, individuals observed what was presented. Today, viewers decide. Fantastic stories are both highly developed and broadly embraced — and that is the actual strength of entertainment.”
Musical Storytelling Finds Its Beat
Referring to risk-taking creatively, Shergill complimented Amar Singh Chamkila for defying conventions.
“Individuals previously indicated that songs do not play on streaming. Chamkila demonstrated otherwise. It opened doors for endeavors like K-Pop Demon Hunters, in which music became central once again.”
The Netflix Effect: When Stories Shape Culture
Shergill defined The Netflix Effect as stories that shape actual life.
“You know a story has connected when it sparks conversations — in cafés, homes, memes, and social media. Titles like The Ba*ds of Bollywood, Heeramandi, and Emily in Paris go beyond screens — they shape culture and fashion.”
Regional Stories Go Global
Regional storytelling, Shergill explained, is currently the pulse of worldwide entertainment.
“Almost 70% of global Netflix viewing is with subtitles and dubs. That’s how stories circulate. Regional cinema isn’t national anymore — it’s global.”
The Future: Bold, Authentic, and Universal
In the future, Shergill envisioned authenticity meeting universality.
“The split between ‘prestige’ and ‘popular’ stories no longer exists. The best stories are layered and loved across the board. Streaming has liberated creators to be both daring and universal.”
Ten Years of Netflix in India
As Netflix completes its 10th year in India, its influence on the art of storytelling and world culture is indubitable. Monika Shergill’s talk at FICCI Frames 2025 commemorated the way Indian creators have brought Indian tales to the world stage — and how the coming decade will take it further.
