Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan hailed the rise of streaming platforms as a transformative force for actors during a panel discussion with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai. He described streaming as “the most liberating” development, enabling actors to explore diverse roles and deep narratives beyond the formulaic constraints of traditional cinema.

Saif revealed that his Netflix projects, like Sacred Games, have brought him more international recognition than his theatrical releases, earning calls from Europe and America. He emphasized that platforms like Netflix offer a global stage to showcase Indian stories with depth and authenticity. Both Saif and Sarandos agreed that cinemas and streaming can coexist, catering to distinct audiences.

Saif underlined that his most meaningful work- films like Omkara and Parineeta reflect Indian culture, which he takes pride in sharing globally. WAVES 2025, India’s premier summit for the audio-visual and entertainment industry, highlights these evolving trends across cinema, OTT, AI, and beyond.