What began as a remark by Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has now sparked a full-blown war of words, revealing a deeper divide within the world of Indian content creation.

So, What Happened?

During a recent industry event, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos reflected on the platform’s early days in India and called their decision to launch with Sacred Games in 2018 “a strategic mistake.” He went on to say that, looking back, he would have preferred to lead with more “popular” content.

This comment didn’t sit well with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, one of the creative forces behind Sacred Games. Taking to Instagram, Kashyap hit back, calling the Netflix chief “dumb” and implying that the platform has now shifted toward the very kind of content it once distanced itself from.

He didn’t name names, but his comment was aimed at Netflix’s recent collaboration with Balaji Telefilms — Ektaa Kapoor’s production house, known for its mainstream, family-oriented shows.

Ektaa Kapoor Hits Back

Ektaa Kapoor wasted no time in responding. In a fiery Instagram story, she called Kashyap “classist” and “stupid,” accusing him of looking down on content that connects emotionally with millions of Indian households.

She defended the relevance and impact of family dramas and saas-bahu serials — genres that have helped shape the Indian TV landscape for decades. According to Ektaa, dismissing them as lowbrow is nothing but elitism.

“Every form of storytelling has its audience,” she wrote, urging Kashyap to show more respect and “self-awareness.”

More Than Just a Personal Spat

This isn’t just a clash between two content creators — it’s a reflection of a much bigger debate in the industry. On one side, you have Ektaa Kapoor, the queen of Indian television, known for massively successful shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay. On the other side is Anurag Kashyap, known for gritty, genre-defining films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Black Friday, and, of course, Sacred Games.

Their recent exchange highlights the ongoing tension between “mass appeal” content and what’s often considered “niche” or “artistic” storytelling. In the age of streaming, where platforms are constantly trying to balance reach with reputation, this debate is more relevant than ever.

The Bigger Picture: What Should OTT Offer?

As streaming platforms like Netflix continue to expand in India, they face a tough challenge: should they cater to broader audiences with high-volume, high-emotion content, or should they stick to bold, experimental storytelling?

This latest face-off only reinforces how divided the industry still is when it comes to defining “quality content.” With television and OTT increasingly overlapping in tone and treatment, one thing is clear — the conversation around content is evolving, and it’s not backing down anytime soon.

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Anurag Kashyap once recounted a sweet story about how, while he was starving, he went to see Shah Rukh Khan’s famous estate, Mannat. To his surprise, SRK himself prepared omelets for him. Scroll down for more details.

Despite both attending the same alma mater—Hansraj College at the University of Delhi—Kashyap and Shah Rukh have never worked together. In the early 1990s, Kashyap pursued studies in biology, while SRK earned his economics degree in 1988. Anurag has always maintained that SRK possesses an extraordinary charisma that he wouldn’t be able to match on screen. Once, while feeling the pangs of hunger, Kashyap dropped by Mannat and was pleasantly surprised when Shah Rukh cooked up some omelets for him.

In a 2020 interview with Midday, Kashyap recounted the incident. He shared how his college connection led him to Shah Rukh’s home, where the superstar fed him a simple but much-needed meal of omelets. “I visited Shah Rukh Khan’s house because of our college connection. He fed me, but the only thing he knew how to make was omelets. I’ve done things like that before,” Anurag humorously recalled.

Reflecting on his early struggles in the 1990s, Anurag mentioned how he used to hang around the sets of Shah Rukh’s 1998 movie Duplicate. During this time, he would carry books for director Mahesh Bhatt while trying to get by with no money or food. Even though he knew SRK from their college days, Kashyap never felt overwhelmed by the superstar’s presence.

During those difficult times, Anurag also recalled meeting the late producer Yash Johar. Johar sensed his hunger on set and kindly invited him to eat, something that left a lasting impression on Kashyap. He fondly remembered Johar as “kind and amazing” for offering him a meal when he needed it most.

When asked why he and Shah Rukh Khan have never collaborated, Kashyap once revealed to Humans of Cinema that he feels daunted by the massive fan following of big stars like SRK. He admitted that matching Shah Rukh’s immense aura is a challenge he isn’t prepared to face. The filmmaker added that he might have had the courage to work with Shah Rukh if his 2016 film Fan had been a success.

On the professional front, Anurag Kashyap’s latest directorial venture was Kennedy in 2023. He also appeared in the series Bad Cop earlier this year. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan has King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, in the works, where he stars alongside his daughter Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan.

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