India has reportedly blocked Pakistani dramas on Netflix, imposing what appears to be an undeclared restriction on Pakistani content on the popular streaming platform.
The development comes amid increasing viewership of Pakistani dramas across the border, especially through international streaming services.
Pakistani actor and singer Farhan Saeed stated that India is limiting Pakistani content due to its growing popularity and influence. He further said that Pakistani dramas are being watched enthusiastically by younger audiences, both within Pakistan and in India, where viewership continues to rise through global platforms such as Netflix.
According to Farhan Saeed, Pakistan needs to invest more effort into promoting its television productions on international platforms to strengthen its presence in the global entertainment industry. He highlighted that Pakistani serials are frequently searched for and accessed by Indian audiences, reflecting their strong demand.
Pakistan’s drama industry has long been admired by viewers in India, with several Indian actors and industry professionals publicly praising the craftsmanship, storytelling and production quality of Pakistani dramas. Some Indian celebrities have even suggested that their production houses should explore content inspired by Pakistani-style storytelling, acknowledging the appeal and relatability of such narratives.
This ongoing popularity appears to have prompted the recent move towards restrictions on streaming platforms, impacting access to Pakistani content for Indian audiences.