Venkatesh's webseries Rana Naidu rules Netflix internationally
- IndiaGlitz, [Wednesday,December 13 2023]
The Indian action crime series, Rana Naidu, has secured its position on Netflix's top 10 list of most-watched non-English series for the second consecutive week, marking it as one of the streaming platform's most globally successful Hindi-language titles to date. Adapted locally from Showtime's acclaimed crime drama Ray Donovan, the show has reached the impressive fourth spot on Netflix's global charts, amassing 16.41 million viewed hours in its second week, more than double its initial viewership.
Following the narrative of the titular character Rana Naidu, akin to Ray Donovan portrayed by Liev Schreiber, the Indian series revolves around a fixer of the stars who navigates the complexities of his famous clients' lives. However, despite his prowess in managing their messes, Naidu grapples with his own domestic challenges, including a strained relationship with his wife and children. The concept of a fixer is a fresh and unexplored theme in the local TV and film landscape, and the show's juxtaposition of the glamorous world of celebrities with the backdrop of a relatable, dysfunctional family has resonated with a broad audience.
Netflix's transparent viewership figures, recently made public, reveal Rana Naidu's substantial success, placing it prominently among the most-viewed Indian titles on the platform. The series has garnered 46.3 million watch hours, attesting to its popularity. Venkatesh, one of the lead actors, has disclosed that a second season is in the works, promising a shift towards more comedy and action, addressing feedback from the audience.
While the list of top-viewed titles on Netflix is dominated by long-form content, Rana Naidu's significant standing among Indian content underscores its impact. The report, titled What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report, showcases titles with over 50,000 combined viewing hours on Netflix from January to June 2023. Rana Naidu's success signifies not only its acceptance on the global stage but also its relevance and appeal to Indian audiences.
The series continues to be a trailblazer, reinforcing the popularity of Indian content on a global streaming platform and signaling a promising trend for the industry. With its engaging narrative, stellar performances, and a commitment to addressing viewer preferences in the upcoming season, Rana Naidu stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Indian content on the international streaming scene.