In December, Netflix will stream a specially edited version of the Indian crime film Gangs of Wasseypur as an eight-part series across the world. This is the first such measure for an Indian film -- and the announcement is timely, given the streaming company's plans to launch in India next year.
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film premiered in the Director's Fortnight section of the Cannes festival in 2012 to glowing reviews. Originally shot as a single film running for 319 minutes, it had to be divided into two parts before its commercial release in India. On Netflix, the series will stream with English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Chinese subtitles from the first week of December.
In an interview, Kashyap pointed out that digital distribution "can play a role in expanding a film's audience after its theatrical release." Additionally, relying on digital distribution means "we do not need to deal with obnoxious censorship and we have creative freedom."
The epic piece is a Godfather-like gangster saga that focuses on the power struggle between warring families of the coal mafia in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Replete with folksy songs, action sequences and stellar acting, the film also features numerous cinematic tributes to Bollywood and Quentin Tarantino.