Sudhir Mishra Ironically Questions ‘Adolescence’ Top Rank On Netflix India, Critiques Indian Scriptwriting
Bollywood’s critically acclaimed producer-director Sudhir Mishra has now stirred the pot with his thoughts on the British series Adolescence—a show that has recently found immense popularity in India, topping Netflix’s charts.
Sudhir Mishra took to social media to express his sarcastic bewilderment at the show’s success in India, especially considering the stark differences between the show’s slow-burn storytelling and the current trend of fast-paced narratives dominating Indian media.
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In a tweet, Sudhir Mishra shows his wonder, questioning the decision of Netflix India to elevate Adolescence to the top spot, stating, “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 scriptwriting schools. It spirals down instead of soaring up. It’s the best news in years.”
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.
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) April 1, 2025
Taking a sarcastic jab at Indian filmmakers and scriptwriters, Mishra tweeted: “People don’t get irony anymore. I’m not saying that… but I agree with the @guardian review. Adolescence is brilliant, nuanced, and leaves gaping holes in our hearts at the end. All conventional wisdom is against it. Indians are not supposed to like slow burners. It violates every rule taught by bad scriptwriting schools. It spirals down instead of soaring up. It’s the best news in years.”
Mishra’s tweet, though sarcastic, made a larger point about the state of scriptwriting in India, especially within the realm of content consumed by Indian audiences on streaming platforms like Netflix.
People don’t get irony any more. I am not saying that. I agree with the @guardian review. Adolescence is brilliant, nuanced and leaves a gaping hole in our hearts at the end. https://t.co/N2zAZ2TPu4
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) April 2, 2025
Adolescence, a British mini-series directed by Philip Barentini and produced by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows the journey of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper), who is arrested for the murder of his classmate.
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The show is more of a psychological exploration of Jamie’s troubled life, his emotional struggles, and the deeper issues within his family and community, rather than focusing on the whodunit angle. With only four episodes, the series delves into sensitive topics such as adolescence, peer pressure, identity, and the impact of societal expectations.
Sudhir Mishra (born January 22, 1959) is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker known for his notable works such as Dharavi (1992), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Chameli (2004), and Serious Men (2020).
His contributions to cinema have earned him three National Film Awards from the Indian government, as well as the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters from the French government.
