Few Indian web series have generated the kind of curiosity, controversy and viewership that Mastram did during the lockdown. Released on MX Player in 2020, the erotic drama became an overnight sensation and attracted massive attention across the country.
However, the series disappeared from MX Player almost as quickly as it rose to fame. For years, viewers have wondered why Mastram was removed despite enjoying huge popularity and record viewership on the platform.
Now, producer Prabhleen Sandhu has shared what she described as the reason behind the show’s removal. According to her, MX Player was informed that content of that nature could no longer be hosted on the platform, leading to the series being taken down.
The revelation is likely to revive discussions around content regulation in India’s digital entertainment space. Streaming platforms continue to balance creative freedom with evolving guidelines and public expectations regarding online content.
Beyond the censorship debate, another interesting detail about Mastram’s production has now come to light. The series had an unexpected connection with one of the biggest television shows in the world, Game of Thrones.
Prabhleen Sandhu revealed that the makers hired an intimacy coordinator from Canada, Amanda Cutting, who had previously worked on Game of Thrones. At the time, intimacy coordinators were not a common part of film and television production in India.
Today, intimacy coordinators are widely accepted and help actors perform intimate scenes in a safe and professional environment. But when Mastram was being produced, the concept was still new to the Indian entertainment industry.
This revelation highlights the effort the creators put into making the series. While many viewed Mastram as purely sensational content, the makers appear to have focused on maintaining professional standards behind the scenes.
The irony of the story is difficult to ignore. A series that broke viewing records, introduced modern production practices and became one of the biggest OTT successes of the lockdown eventually disappeared because of the very content that made it so popular.
