my sense is that desi. net absolutely can host original web series and exclusives — if they choose the right playbook.
From where I sit, originals are the clearest way for a platform to stand out. That means commissioning series that lean into local stories, languages, and genres that big global players often ignore. Think gritty crime sagas that echo 'Sacred Games', intimate family dramas like 'Made in Heaven', or tongue-in-cheek comedies with sharp regional flavor. Originals also let a service control release windows, merchandising, and marketing hooks, so if desi. net wants to build a loyal audience it’s a natural move.
Realistically, the deciding factors are budget discipline, partnerships with creators who already have followings, and smart exclusivity deals. If they invest in a few high-quality pilots, promote them well on social media and with festival circuits, and lock down streaming exclusivity for a window, they’ll see retention rise. I’m curious and quietly optimistic — it could be a fun spot for risky, rewarding storytelling.
The main problem with watching movies and TV series online are the technical limitations imposed by most online streaming sites. They are usually capped at 480p, which in today’s world of high definition is sub-par. Watching a beautifully shot series of short films like ‘Lust Stories’ or ‘Ghost Stories’ in low video quality completely destroys the impact of the movies.
I have a few friends from Singapore, and apparently it’s available there. The real question is whether the stories are relevant enough though. I’ve found a lot of the content to be rooted deeply in the Indian and Pakistani culture, lots of references, slang and insight into their societies that can be hard to understand at times. It’s a great learning experience and often I have to look up words or even stories in full to understand better. But that’s all part of the fun really. It’s a bit like reading a foreign novel, in its native digital format. The platform itself is fine though. I’ve never had any issues with being actively blocked or something. In fact, they seem to be eager for more international readers. There might be a few cultural hurdles to get past in the Asia Pacific region, but otherwise it’s all good.
I find it fascinating how the majority of the conversation around this topic revolves around legality and how not getting sued over the work of other people is key. But there is so much more ethics involved here. Do you really want to be consuming work that people put their blood, sweat and tears into and never see a cent for it? Is your convenience really more important than the work of the industry? I’m not saying that these sites aren’t safe. They exist on the fringes of the web. They’re funded by ads for gambling, or whatever. The whole thing is a means to exploit people’s desire to get free content online. There is no free lunch.