Before & After 2018: Netflix & the pattern of women-led productions in Bollywood

This research investigates the claim that OTT platforms, particularly Netflix India, are amplifying women-led productions in Bollywood, an industry known for its antiquated male predominance. Using a mixed-method approach, it takes Netflix India as a case to gauge the nature and degree of change instigated by OTT platforms in Bollywood concerning women-led production from 2018-2022. The paper constructs a historical account of gender bias in Bollywood's production landscape from 1913 to 2022, revealing that gender discrimination in the industry historically intersects with identity elements like religion, class, and social status. It also highlights that gender disparity in contemporary Bollywood is heavily influenced by family background and social capital, contributing to discussions about nepotism in the industry. Next, Netflix India’s strategic initiatives are critically analysed to understand how efficient they are to combat the persistent gender disparity in Bollywood, particularly to make key production roles more accessible for women. The study points out the company’s conscious effort to establish itself as a benevolent one in India while also underscoring its lack of intersectional perspectives. Even though Netflix India does not have any explicit policy or quota to involve women in lead production roles, quantitative analysis depicts that significantly more women occupy such positions in Netflix India’s Original films, compared to mainstream Bollywood. However, while studied as standalone data, women representation in lead production roles of Netflix India seems far from equal, especially in technical specialization. Empirical findings suggest Netflix India's preference for mid-career women professionals and new female talents, which signals a shift from traditional Bollywood bias that allegedly favours people who are either established figures or associated with film families. On the basis of these findings, this research concludes that women representation in Netflix India’s Original film productions reflects a notable change in the historically gendered field of Bollywood, but a full-scale paradigm shift toward gender equality remains elusive.