Netflix’s global streaming and VOD acquisition of Brahman Naman heralds a new dimension to distribution of Indian cinema’s reach to global markets

Netflix’s global streaming and video on demand rights acquisition of the hilarious coming-of-age comedy Brahman Naman, from leading Indian indie director Q (for Quashik Mukherjee) is set to be a game changer for new age independent Indian filmmakers. Brahman Naman will be available exclusively for Netflix members around the world later this year.

Netflix launched its services in India on January 6 as part of its global expansion to 130 countries. Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 75 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films.

Set in Bangalore in the 1980s, Brahman Naman follows the exploits of Naman, a quick witted, high school quiz champ who leads his hopelessly nerdy friends on a trip to Calcutta to win a major college prize. Young, smart and full of heart, the trio are determined to win the quiz – and to lose their virginity along the way.

Revered internationally as one of India’s most vital and provocative indie filmmakers, Q’s latest cinematic cocktail takes the classic American teen comedy, sharpens it with bawdy British word play, and hurls it in the face of the establishment with a fresh Indian cast. The film was premiered at the prestigious World Drama Competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.

“Brahman Naman is Indian cinema at its boldest: fast, furious and raucously funny,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix. “It’s a movie that will delight adolescents of all ages, and we’re excited to bring this hilarious tale to our members around the world.”

Written by Naman Ramachandran and produced by Steve Barron and Celine Loop, Brahman Naman is Q’s latest film, following Gandu, Tasher Desh and Ludo. Brahman Naman stars Shashank Arora as Naman, Tanmany Dhanania and Chaitanya Varad as his sidekicks, and features Vaiswath Shankar, Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy and Sid Mallya.