Netflix Signs a Mega Deal With Bollywood Producer/Star Shah Rukh Khan

Netflix is going big-time Bollywood.

The global streaming service announced a deal this morning with India’s biggest star — the Chris-Pratt-of-Bollywood supernova Shah Rukh Khan — that will bring a big list of new and catalog film titles to subscribers in India, the United States and beyond. Netflix said the first title will be Dear Zindagi, which opened theatrically in India just a few weeks ago.

“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,” Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos said in the announcement. “His monicker ‘King Khan’ speaks to his status as a cultural icon and to the incredible popularity of his films among audiences worldwide.”

Netflix did not announce when the films would become available but said that the deal with Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment will include dozens of titles including Happy New Year, Dilwale and Om Shanti Om. The deal, Netflix said, will also include forthcoming theatrical releases to be produced over the next three years.

Khan’s Bollywood films run the gamut from rom-coms to family dramas to political thrillers, and most show off the song-and-dance moves that made him one of the world’s biggest film stars. Quantico star Priyanka Chopra, who was a Bollywood star before coming to American TV, has starred in numerous films with Khan.

If you want to get a head start, there are a few Khan starrers streaming on Netflix right now, including Kal Ho Naa Ho and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

Scott Porch writes about the streaming-media industry for Decider and is also a contributing writer for Playboy. You can follow him on Twitter @ScottPorch.