Anurag Kashyap Critiques Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Over Sacred Games Comments

In a recent podcast, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos discussed the platform's content strategy in India, particularly reflecting on the launch of Sacred Games. His comments prompted a strong reaction from co-creator Anurag Kashyap, who criticized Sarandos for his approach to storytelling. Kashyap's remarks shed light on the challenges faced by tech leaders in understanding the nuances of Indian entertainment. This exchange highlights the evolving landscape of content creation in India and the potential for growth in the market. Read on to discover more about this intriguing dialogue between two influential figures in the industry.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2025, 11:37 IST

Anurag Kashyap Responds to Ted Sarandos

Recently, Ted Sarandos, the CEO of Netflix, joined Nikhil Kamath on the WTF podcast to discuss the platform's content evolution in India. His comments regarding the series Sacred Games drew significant backlash from Anurag Kashyap, one of the show's co-creators.

Sarandos reflected on the launch of Netflix's Indian originals, expressing doubts about starting with Sacred Games. He mentioned that Netflix might have chosen a more mainstream approach initially to resonate better with Indian viewers.

Kashyap took to Threads to voice his criticism. He shared a screenshot of Sarandos' remarks, stating, “He should have started with Saas Bahu... he would have succeeded. This is what he is doing now. I always believed tech people struggle with storytelling, but I didn’t realize Ted Sarandos epitomizes that. It's enlightening to discover this; it clarifies a lot.”

During the podcast, Sarandos elaborated on the initial hurdles faced by Netflix, stating, “Our first Indian original was Sacred Games. I thought it would be a hit since Indians love films, and this series felt cinematic with its star cast. However, I underestimated the challenge of introducing a new entertainment format in such a vast country.”

He continued, “If I could redo it, I might have waited a couple of years before launching Sacred Games and opted for more mainstream content instead. We anticipated a gradual journey in India, but the potential here is immense. The market is expanding rapidly, which is promising.”

Sacred Games was Netflix's inaugural Indian original series, directed by Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The series received acclaim upon its 2018 debut, although the second season faced mixed reviews, leading to its cancellation.