Netflix & Kommune Launch Writing Programme for Global Indian…

Netflix & Kommune Train 30 Writers to Translate Indian Stories for Global Audiences

The next generation of Indian film translators is being trained — not in studios, but in classrooms. With Netflix pushing global reach, the real work happens between the lines.

By Call Sheet8 Oct 20262 min read

Current hype level93

Netflix India and Kommune have announced the fifth edition of Voices of Tomorrow — a professional training programme aimed at nurturing emerging talent in subtitling and adaptation. This year’s iteration marks a shift from previous editions, which focused on voice performance, to spotlighting the craft of writing for localisation. The initiative now trains writers to adapt Indian films and series from Hindi into English, ensuring that emotion, humour, rhythm, and cultural context aren’t lost in translation.

A total of 30 participants will be selected for a three-month immersive programme in Mumbai, scheduled across November 2026, December 2026, and January 2027. The curriculum includes screenwriting fundamentals, dubbing adaptation techniques, and subtitling practices, with hands-on assignments and exposure to real-world studio workflows. Mentors for the course are writer, actor, and director Dhruv Sehgal.

Translator, actor, and voiceover artist Sahil Vaid. And subtitler and creative writer Yooti Bhansali. The selection jury will consist of actor and voiceover artist Shernaz Patel, Kommune founder Roshan Abbas, and subtitler and translator Meera Krishnan, all tasked with identifying applicants who demonstrate aptitude in language, dialogue, storytelling, and cultural adaptation.

Open to Indian citizens aged 18 and above, candidates must be fluent in both Hindi and English and able to attend the programme in person. Applications are currently live via an online form, requiring a government-issued ID and a written submission. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person writing test before final selections are made.

Since its inception in 2022, Voices of Tomorrow has been developed by Kommune in collaboration with Netflix India as a bridge to underrepresented communities in the dubbing and localisation industries. Previous editions trained over 60 participants from backgrounds traditionally excluded from conventional talent pipelines. With this new focus on writing, the programme aims to equip a fresh cohort of adapters and subtitlers capable of delivering authentic, emotionally resonant versions of Indian stories for global audiences.

As Indian content continues to expand its footprint beyond borders, the work happening behind the scenes. Between script and screen, word and world, is becoming more critical than ever.