The recently released series ‘Adolescence’ has been creating a buzz internationally, and its popularity has increased in India, too. The four-episode series, featuring Stephen Graham and young Owen Cooper, has topped Netflix India. But acclaimed director Sudhir Mishra has created a buzz with his open comments about the show’s ranking, doubting its non-linear narrative style.
Sudhir Mishra’s Take on ‘Adolescence’ Ranking at #1
Posting on X (ex-Twitter), Mishra freely voiced his astonishment at the popularity of the show in India.
“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,” wrote the director.
His article sparked debate from film enthusiasts. One of them replied, “It became the most talked about show in the world and had rave reviews from western critics. So, we already went into it convinced that it is a good show. It is actually good, but as you said, we would have found it difficult to sit thru it if we didn’t have this pre-conceived notion.”
Mishra, whose credits include such critically successful films as Dharavi (1992), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), and Chameli (2004), confessed that he watched Adolescence after noticing raves from other directors Hansal Mehta and Shekhar Kapur.
“I saw it because @mehtahansal and @shekharkapur were raving about it. In fact, it’s one of those rare shows which was a loved simultaneously across the Netflix universe. By far he way I liked Better call Saul even more,” he added.
What is the Series About?
Adolescence is the poignant tale of a shattered family following the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) for killing one of his classmates. The show explores mundane misogyny, teenage lives under the influence of social media, and life at home. One of its strongest aspects is that each scene is shot in one continuous, uninterrupted take, to great critical acclaim.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has even supported a Netflix project to make the series free to stream in UK secondary schools so that as many teenagers as possible can view and consider its themes.
As Adolescence gains popularity, Mishra’s comments have sparked a new debate on changing audience tastes in India.