The rise of streaming platforms in India once felt like a revolution. When Netflix and Amazon Prime Video arrived, audiences were thrilled by shows like Sacred Games and Delhi Crime, and talented actors finally got their moment in the spotlight.
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Streaming was supposed to be about bold stories, creative risks, and giving a chance to those ignored by mainstream Bollywood. But as the years passed, things changed.
The platforms, eager to grow their subscriber base, started playing it safe. Instead of focusing on quality storytelling, they began chasing stars and dumping mediocre films and shows onto their services.
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Big production houses used streaming as a way to release movies that wouldn’t survive in theatres, and soon, even these platforms were filled with forgettable content. The focus shifted from art to numbers-whatever got more views, even if it meant reality shows or low-effort sequels, became the priority.
Viewers, too, changed. Many now watch shows while scrolling on their phones or doing chores, barely paying attention. Streaming companies noticed this and started making content that doesn’t require much engagement.
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The result? Great shows like Guilty Minds get cancelled, while reality shows and star-driven projects keep getting renewed, no matter the quality. In the end, streaming in India has become less about creative freedom and more about what sells.
The golden age of meaningful content has given way to a business model that values engagement over excellence-a disappointing turn for those who hoped for more.
