Key Highlights:
Mumbai, April 2, 2025: Veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra on Tuesday hailed the unexpected success of Netflix’s British drama Adolescence in India, calling it a breakthrough for Indian audiences and a much-needed shift away from rigid, formula-driven storytelling.
Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Mishra shared his surprise and admiration for the show’s massive popularity, noting how it has gone against everything taught in traditional scriptwriting schools.
How come Adolescence is the No 1 show on Netflix india . All conventional wisdom is against it . Indians are not supposed to like slow Burners . It violates every rule of taught by bad script writing schools . It spirals down instead of soaring up . It’s the best news in years.
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) April 1, 2025
“How come Adolescence is the No 1 show on Netflix India? All conventional wisdom is against it. Indians are not supposed to like slow burners. It violates every rule taught by bad script writing schools. It spirals down instead of soaring up. It’s the best news in years,” wrote Sudhir Mishra on Tuesday.
Adolescence Defies Expectations, Wins Indian Hearts
The four-episode limited series, created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows the harrowing story of Jamie Miller, a 15-year-old British schoolboy accused of murdering his classmate. The lead role is portrayed by Owen Cooper, who has been widely praised for his nuanced and emotionally raw performance.
Unlike typical crime thrillers, Adolescence takes a slow-burn narrative approach, steadily unfolding its emotional and psychological layers. The show’s ability to connect with Indian audiences, who are traditionally known for preferring high-energy, fast-paced content, has sparked a wider conversation among filmmakers and critics alike.
One-Take Cinematography Draws Global Acclaim
A standout feature of Adolescence is its unique cinematography. Each episode was filmed in a single continuous take by cinematographer Matthew Lewis, a technique rarely used in mainstream drama. This stylistic choice has been praised for intensifying the immersive experience of the series and deepening the emotional weight of each scene.
Karan Johar, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Also Weigh In
Mishra is not alone in praising the show. Earlier this week, filmmaker Karan Johar called Adolescence a “wake-up call” for parents navigating parenting in the age of digital surveillance and social media scrutiny.
The show’s growing cultural relevance was further underscored when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended a roundtable with the creators to discuss its social impact. Following this meeting, Netflix announced that the show will be made available to all secondary schools across the UK via the Into Film+ educational streaming service.
Why Sudhir Mishra’s Endorsement Matters
Known for his award-winning films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Chameli, and Serious Men, Sudhir Mishra has long been a vocal critic of formulaic storytelling in Indian cinema. His praise for Adolescence—a foreign-language show—resonates with a growing sentiment among India’s emerging filmmakers and audiences: a hunger for authenticity over formula.
Mishra’s statement also takes aim at the “bad scriptwriting schools” that enforce rigid storytelling templates, suggesting the success of Adolescence is a watershed moment that might inspire more experimental work in India.
What Makes Adolescence a Cultural Milestone?
- Non-linear, character-driven narrative defying typical crime drama arcs
- Real-time cinematography, filmed entirely in single takes
- Tackles social issues like youth isolation, justice system bias, and online bullying
- Features understated performances, far removed from dramatic exaggeration
- Promotes empathy and introspection rather than fast-paced thrills
The show’s somber tone and intense realism have earned it comparisons to works like Unbelievable and When They See Us, both of which made similar waves in their respective markets.
Rising Appetite for Experimental Content in India
The success of Adolescence follows other unconventional hits in India like Delhi Crime, Trial by Fire, and Kohrra. These shows, too, broke with traditional Indian TV patterns and found global audiences. Mishra’s praise could signal a bigger industry shift toward bold, narrative-first content, especially among digital-first viewers.
As Adolescence continues to climb the charts on Netflix India, its resonance with viewers suggests a larger transformation underway in Indian storytelling. Sudhir Mishra’s endorsement affirms the significance of this change, pointing to an industry that may finally be ready to move beyond outdated formulas.
With top directors, global leaders, and audiences on board, Adolescence isn’t just a TV drama—it’s a cultural moment. Whether this will influence future Indian content remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the rules of storytelling are being rewritten.
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