Netflix gives a sneak peek into its content lineup for 2024

Netflix India has unveiled its 2024 release slate, featuring projects by filmmakers from Sanjay Leela Bhansali to Imtiaz Ali.

“In 2024, we’re taking this thrill to the next level. The biggest names and freshest voices in Indian entertainment are bringing their most special films, series and documentaries to Netflix,” Monika Shergill, vice-president of content for Netflix India, said in a statement.

A sneak peek into what Netflix has in store for its viewers this year:

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be making his streaming-debut in 2024, with the epic saga Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari. 

The plot revolves around Mallikajaan and Fareedan, two courtesans who are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi. Set in pre-independent India, the story is an epic saga of love, power, betrayal, struggle and, ultimately, freedom.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack

Director Anubhav Sinha takes viewers back in time with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a gripping retelling of the longest hijack in Indian history. The series features a stellar cast including Vijay Verma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapoor, and Naseeruddin Shah.

“This is a story that created unexpected heroes out of the most unprecedented crises. This is a story of those seven days of mayhem, skill and tact,” said director and co-creator Anubhav Sinha.

Dabba Cartel

From Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment comes the high-octane Dabba Cartel, starring Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, and Shalini Pandey. 

A first-time collaboration between Netflix and Excel Entertainment, this is the story of five unassuming housewives who form an unlikely drug cartel through the ‘dabba’ delivery system. 

Mandala Murders, Maharaj, and Vijay 69

The partnership between Netflix and Yash Raj Films also brings three captivating projects – the crime thriller Mandala Murders, starring Vaani Kapoor, the period drama Maharaj, starring Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, and the heartwarming slice-of-life film Vijay 69 starring Anupam Kher.

Amar Singh Chamkila

Marking his streaming directorial debut, Imtiaz Ali brings audiences the untold story of Punjab’s musical legend with Amar Singh Chamkila, featuring actors Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra. 

AR Rahman, the acclaimed music director who has been roped in for the film shared:

“Imtiaz and I decided to give our take on the storytelling musical and give it a twist, like a Broadway musical in certain parts. I loved how Imtiaz reinvented himself in the story.”

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar

Fans of director Neeraj Pandey can rejoice as Khakee returns with a new chapter.

According to Pandey, the success of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter was a testament to the shared partnership and vision with Netflix to unveil local stories with a global appeal. 

“As we reveal the second chapter of our cop franchise, we are confident that our collaboration will make this season bigger, bolder, and win us more love from our audience who are the ultimate stakeholders,” he added.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, also helmed by Pandey, is a heist thriller which spans 18 years and

will be shot across multiple locations in India and abroad, according to the filmmaker. 

Murder Mubarak

Homi Adajania’s whodunnit promises suspense and entertainment as it delves into a high-profile death investigation. 

Based on the novel “Club You To Death” by Anuja Chauhan, the film stars Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, and Karisma Kapoor in pivotal roles. 

“Our cast? Oh, they’re the cherry, the icing, and the sprinkles on top, bringing the heat and a whole lot of zesty flair to this murderous extravaganza,” said Adajania in a statement. 

Netflix also caters to returning fans with new seasons of beloved shows like Kota Factory, Mismatched, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, and Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, promising fresh storylines and captivating characters. 

The unscripted slate features exciting additions like The Great Indian Kapil Show, where Kapil Sharma and his team return to deliver their signature brand of humor. Additionally, documentaries like Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous and The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan offer unique insights into renowned personalities and some iconic rivalries.

Users spent a total of 100 billion hours watching films and television shows on the streaming platform, according to Netflix’s What We Watched engagement report, released last year. 

None of the Indian titles made it to the top 20 of the list, which accounted for 18,000 titles released on the platform. Rana Naidu, a Telugu language series starring Rana Daggubati and Surveen Chawla topped the list of Indian shows, ranking at the 330th position. 

This year, with a diverse lineup of shows and films, Netflix India promises a year of entertainment across genres and emotions, offering something for every taste and mood.