Netflix India signs deal with Shah Rukh Khan: Is it in response to Amazon Prime Video launch?

“Netflix is the new home of King Khan” — said an official statement from the streaming service released on Thursday, 15 December 2016. [caption id=“attachment_3157242” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shah Rukh Khan. File photo[/caption] A long term deal has been signed between Netflix and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, one that will ensure the superstar’s former and upcoming films will be aired on the service. The announcement of Netflix’s deal with Shah Rukh Khan comes on the same day as the launch of its other major rival — Amazon Prime Video — in India. Firstpost has already done a comparison of how Amazon Prime Video is looking on its launch in India, in comparison to Netflix India. Read the full analysis on which service you should subscribe to here . Coming back to the Netflix and Red Chillies announcement, Shah Rukh Khan’s films will now be available to the streaming giant’s 86 million members globally. This association is the first of its kind with any Indian film production company. The agreement between Netflix and Red Chillies will also give Netflix members both in India and around the world exclusive subscription video-on-demand access to dozens of RCE films as well as new films that will hit Indian theaters within the next three years. “Shah Rukh Khan is the most sought-after actor in the Indian film industry, and has played a huge role in bringing Indian cinema to the world stage,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. “His moniker ‘King Khan’ speaks to his status as a cultural icon and to the incredible popularity of his films among audiences worldwide.” “Red Chillies is surging ahead in global entertainment and for the first time, our great stories are going global on Netflix all at once and crossing all geographical barriers, waiting to be discovered over the world. No more waiting for our fans, wherever they are,” said Shah Rukh Khan in an official statement. The first title that will come on Netflix is Dear Zindagi which was released theatrically on 25 November. Among other Red Chillies titles available on Netflix will be box office hits including Happy New Year, Dilwale and Om Shanti Om. Watch this video released by Netflix India to coincide with their announcement: