We are excited to bring to you an IMDb experience catered to the interests of the millions of movie & TV fans in India. Today we launched www.imdb.com/india. Now, in addition to using IMDb as the authoritative destination for international films and TV shows, you can rely on us as an entertainment destination that will keep you up to date on the latest and greatest Indian movies.
Bookmark www.imdb.com/india/trending to stay current with “What’s Trending in India” across upcoming movies and celebrities,updated daily.
You can now plan your movie nights based on the “IMDb TopRated Indian Movies” list that includes movies in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam,Telugu, and Bengali. The list is ranked by a rigorous formula which includes the number of ratings each movie received among other criteria. To complement the movie recommendations based on inputs from IMDb users, you will also discover recommendations based on our editors picks. Our editors put me through an Amitabh Bachchan quiz today. I scored a measly 5/10 – clearly I have more BigB movie watching to do.
I am proud and humbled to see millions of people across the world using IMDb every day. IMDb was born out of my personal film diary and lifelong obsession with cinema. IMDb’s first version was the simple database I created on my computer of every film I saw since the age of 13. I encourage you to visit IMDb and join the community of passionate movie fans across the world.I have 234 Indian movies on my watchlist currently, and my most memorable Indian film is 3 Idiots (2009). What is yours? Tell us using the hashtag #IMDbIndia
Col Needham,
CEO & Founder
Bookmark www.imdb.com/india/trending to stay current with “What’s Trending in India” across upcoming movies and celebrities,updated daily.
You can now plan your movie nights based on the “IMDb TopRated Indian Movies” list that includes movies in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam,Telugu, and Bengali. The list is ranked by a rigorous formula which includes the number of ratings each movie received among other criteria. To complement the movie recommendations based on inputs from IMDb users, you will also discover recommendations based on our editors picks. Our editors put me through an Amitabh Bachchan quiz today. I scored a measly 5/10 – clearly I have more BigB movie watching to do.
I am proud and humbled to see millions of people across the world using IMDb every day. IMDb was born out of my personal film diary and lifelong obsession with cinema. IMDb’s first version was the simple database I created on my computer of every film I saw since the age of 13. I encourage you to visit IMDb and join the community of passionate movie fans across the world.I have 234 Indian movies on my watchlist currently, and my most memorable Indian film is 3 Idiots (2009). What is yours? Tell us using the hashtag #IMDbIndia
Col Needham,
CEO & Founder
Col Needham, Official Rep
Posted 4 years ago
It has been two weeks now and there has been no action, in spite of overwhelming evidence that a lot of Indian users do not want this feature.
I have two questions to ask to IMDb:
1. If this had been the reaction from users in a western country, would you have not acted on it for 2 whole weeks? Or would you have scrambled to make it optional ASAP?
2. There has been ONE reply so far from an IMDb staffer named Kurt. Reading his reply, he basically says there are no plans to add any options and that we should be grateful that IMDb has decided to gift us Indians with "complimentary" local content. This is not the colonial era, Kurt. India is a free country and its citizens also need the same freedom of choice that their western counterparts demand and enjoy and feel entitled to.
I should say at this point that I have started to lose all respect for IMDb that basically shoves content down our throats and don't us poor Indians complain about it!
I have two questions to ask to IMDb:
1. If this had been the reaction from users in a western country, would you have not acted on it for 2 whole weeks? Or would you have scrambled to make it optional ASAP?
2. There has been ONE reply so far from an IMDb staffer named Kurt. Reading his reply, he basically says there are no plans to add any options and that we should be grateful that IMDb has decided to gift us Indians with "complimentary" local content. This is not the colonial era, Kurt. India is a free country and its citizens also need the same freedom of choice that their western counterparts demand and enjoy and feel entitled to.
I should say at this point that I have started to lose all respect for IMDb that basically shoves content down our throats and don't us poor Indians complain about it!
Hear, hear!
This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled How to access IMDb US site only?.
Recently I noticed that IMDb started showing all the local stuff on the homepage. Since I'm from India, all I see is bollywood and other regional language movie titles, news; etc. As a die hard bollywood hater, I'd like to see only the US version of IMDb. How do I achieve that? I can neither find any specific URL for that nor find any settings under my IMDb account. I was hoping for Google like feature where it says at bottom 'Use Google.com' for global version.
Recently I noticed that IMDb started showing all the local stuff on the homepage. Since I'm from India, all I see is bollywood and other regional language movie titles, news; etc. As a die hard bollywood hater, I'd like to see only the US version of IMDb. How do I achieve that? I can neither find any specific URL for that nor find any settings under my IMDb account. I was hoping for Google like feature where it says at bottom 'Use Google.com' for global version.
sorry , you can't. You have to live like this for rest of your life because IMDb don't give crap about Indian viewers .they don't reply or gives any shit . so ya live with it
(Edited)
My query just got merged into this, so i see that I'm not the only one with the problem. Is nobody from IMDb reading this? How is there no solution for this yet? If you can read my message and understand it and merge it into this conversation, you surely can send us all some response. I cannot see Priyanka Chopra's face or Salman Khan's life history for another second.
They understand, but they don't give a shit about our opinion. A staffer named Kurt did reply 2 weeks ago, and basically said nothing will be done.
If you have an ad-blocker with element selector, use it to block the India-specific sections. Will not solve the problem of missing out on international trailers, but at least you won't be plastered with Bollywood faces all over the site.
P.S.: Keep in mind its a continuous process. They keep on creating new elements with India specific content, cause they want to shove that content down our throats whether we want it or not.
If you have an ad-blocker with element selector, use it to block the India-specific sections. Will not solve the problem of missing out on international trailers, but at least you won't be plastered with Bollywood faces all over the site.
P.S.: Keep in mind its a continuous process. They keep on creating new elements with India specific content, cause they want to shove that content down our throats whether we want it or not.
Frankly, I never expected IMDb to be this tone-deaf to its non-American user base.
Its the same mindset that Facebook had when it launched the "free internet" campaign and advertised it as if they were doing us a favor by providing us with content THEY deemed proper for us. No options. These companies genuinely seem to think they are doing us a favor. Its just sad.
Thanks for your help people, I will try the blocker thing.This is very disappointing and sad though. I have been an IMDB user for 10 years now, I don't want to stop using the platform. Is anybody listening?? Hellloooooo!!! Please fix this for us, you have a huge following in our country, you simply can't let this go unheard.
They all suck
this is the dumbest idea ever! i DONT want you to tell me what Indian content to watch! I want information about international movies and tv shows, not some idiotic suggestion based on assumptions. I want news about world cinema. we have enough content and more about indian movies. if you want to make use of the enormous data you could generate with indian movies, start a tab for god's sake.
how does a big chunk of space with a picture from failed film 'saala khadoos' make any sense with the page for A Monster Calls? this is as supremely stupid an idea as adding indian actors to hollywood films for bit parts because there is an audience of a billion people.
DON'T FORCE CONTENT. or for that matter advertising. or traffic will just move to other sources. i review movies, and this 'Indianisation' is ridiculous, to say the least.
how does a big chunk of space with a picture from failed film 'saala khadoos' make any sense with the page for A Monster Calls? this is as supremely stupid an idea as adding indian actors to hollywood films for bit parts because there is an audience of a billion people.
DON'T FORCE CONTENT. or for that matter advertising. or traffic will just move to other sources. i review movies, and this 'Indianisation' is ridiculous, to say the least.
(Edited)
Same here. I'm annoyed watching all the Bollywood and South Indian movies all over my home page :(
Sweet lol
Hey everybody!
After lots of Firefox/ Chrome plug-ins that messed with every other site over the past month...
I have a 'juugard'
Admittedly, it's damn annoying (because it is so unnecessary, if only IMDb would listen to Indian client feedback instead of force-feeding us this baby-food, horse-shit, that everyone hates) , but so far it works okay,
If you dont want to pay to get rid of the Indianized IMDb rubbish via a third party VPN..
and btw, I've installed many VPN plug-ins for my main browsers and they all mess with every other site.. Including IMDb.
DRUM ROLL....
"TAH- DAHHHH!!!"
Opera browser now comes with a built-in VPN. (I don't work for this company, btw)
http://www.opera.com/
VPN is easy to 'google search' for the uninitiated.
A VPN (or Virtual Protocol Network) is a way to tell a website etc that you are surfing in a different country from where you are really surfing from..
If IMDb is told by your VPN that you are surfing from New York, why on Earth would they show you 'Dangal' box office stats???
Exactly!
Don't get me wrong, it's seriously f**king annoying to install..
A WHOLE F*******KING BROWSER!!!!!!!
... in order to see the old IMDb that we love so much, but the VPN service is free and I've had the VPN (very easy to set up and free) set to Canada (there's also VPNs for US, Netherlands, Germany, Singapore) for the past couple of weeks (since IMDb dropped this rancid donkey turd) and none of their Bollywood nonsense is showing up!
btw Canada doesn't have "Trending in Canada" click-bait splash-screens BS all over every page??
IMDb hates Canadian cinema????? Are we special????
Discuss.
After lots of Firefox/ Chrome plug-ins that messed with every other site over the past month...
I have a 'juugard'
Admittedly, it's damn annoying (because it is so unnecessary, if only IMDb would listen to Indian client feedback instead of force-feeding us this baby-food, horse-shit, that everyone hates) , but so far it works okay,
If you dont want to pay to get rid of the Indianized IMDb rubbish via a third party VPN..
and btw, I've installed many VPN plug-ins for my main browsers and they all mess with every other site.. Including IMDb.
DRUM ROLL....
"TAH- DAHHHH!!!"
Opera browser now comes with a built-in VPN. (I don't work for this company, btw)
http://www.opera.com/
VPN is easy to 'google search' for the uninitiated.
A VPN (or Virtual Protocol Network) is a way to tell a website etc that you are surfing in a different country from where you are really surfing from..
If IMDb is told by your VPN that you are surfing from New York, why on Earth would they show you 'Dangal' box office stats???
Exactly!
Don't get me wrong, it's seriously f**king annoying to install..
A WHOLE F*******KING BROWSER!!!!!!!
... in order to see the old IMDb that we love so much, but the VPN service is free and I've had the VPN (very easy to set up and free) set to Canada (there's also VPNs for US, Netherlands, Germany, Singapore) for the past couple of weeks (since IMDb dropped this rancid donkey turd) and none of their Bollywood nonsense is showing up!
btw Canada doesn't have "Trending in Canada" click-bait splash-screens BS all over every page??
IMDb hates Canadian cinema????? Are we special????
Discuss.
The point is not that this can be subverted with a VPN. The point is the total disregard for the sentiments of the Indian user base by stubbornly refusing to make the setting optional.
Plus, IMDb is not that special of a site that I have to:
1. Install a separate browser just to use ONE website.
2. Switch to and fro browsers and/or VPN access just for the sake of using ONE website.
I use IMDb mostly for keeping track of the movies I have seen and want to see. I used to use it for watching the latest international trailers too, but now I have subb'ed a few youtube chans for this. As soon as I find another site that helps me keep track of my movies, I am outta here. I am not using a site that has no respect for the opinions of its user base and is haughty enough to think it knows better than its user base about what they want.
P.S.: Its easier to just use an ad-blocker's element picker to hide all the India specific elements on the site rather than use a separate browser + VPN.
Plus, IMDb is not that special of a site that I have to:
1. Install a separate browser just to use ONE website.
2. Switch to and fro browsers and/or VPN access just for the sake of using ONE website.
I use IMDb mostly for keeping track of the movies I have seen and want to see. I used to use it for watching the latest international trailers too, but now I have subb'ed a few youtube chans for this. As soon as I find another site that helps me keep track of my movies, I am outta here. I am not using a site that has no respect for the opinions of its user base and is haughty enough to think it knows better than its user base about what they want.
P.S.: Its easier to just use an ad-blocker's element picker to hide all the India specific elements on the site rather than use a separate browser + VPN.
Hi All,
Thank you for voicing your concerns and continual feedback regarding the www.imdb.com/india launch. I’m making this post to assure you all that we are still keeping track of all feedback posted in this thread, both past and present. In addition, we will be taking note of this feedback with any continued site updates that are made.
Thanks Again,
Kurt / IMDb
Thank you for voicing your concerns and continual feedback regarding the www.imdb.com/india launch. I’m making this post to assure you all that we are still keeping track of all feedback posted in this thread, both past and present. In addition, we will be taking note of this feedback with any continued site updates that are made.
Thanks Again,
Kurt / IMDb
(Edited)
Great non-committal reply.
I think it is pretty evident from the feedback that we need action, not words. When will we get the settings to change the default behavior of imdb.com to India or International? Are there any timelines for implementing this?
I think it is pretty evident from the feedback that we need action, not words. When will we get the settings to change the default behavior of imdb.com to India or International? Are there any timelines for implementing this?
Hi Kurt,
We all really hope the "site updates" are sooner than later. please. just give us the option to have or not to have indian movies news. just a check box saying "indian movies news". it shouldnt be hard at all!! I still wonder why was this mandatory in the first place? why not release the Bollywood stuff and just have an option whether to display it or not.
We all really hope the "site updates" are sooner than later. please. just give us the option to have or not to have indian movies news. just a check box saying "indian movies news". it shouldnt be hard at all!! I still wonder why was this mandatory in the first place? why not release the Bollywood stuff and just have an option whether to display it or not.
This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled I don't want to see Bollywood movies all over my page..
I don't want to see Bollywood movies all over my page. My imdb home page is showing Indian movies based on my location. I prefer Hollywood movies. How to stop imdb targetting my locaion and forcing me contents that I dont wanna see?
I don't want to see Bollywood movies all over my page. My imdb home page is showing Indian movies based on my location. I prefer Hollywood movies. How to stop imdb targetting my locaion and forcing me contents that I dont wanna see?
They implemented this feature with no opt-out option. Seeing as all Indians just burst into song and dance every minute of our lives, we must ALL want to see Bollywood content everywhere, right?!
I bet if this was a western country, they would not have dared to make such an update without an opt-out option.
I bet if this was a western country, they would not have dared to make such an update without an opt-out option.
Firstly, thank you L Boyd for the feedback inorder to letting me figure this out..
Why would I need a whole browser with VPN?
Hmmm... aacha!
IMDb, as we already know, is owned by Amazon.
Amazon Prime Video is a new streaming service (from IMDbs' boss company, btw) provided in India to go up against the mighty Netflix.
They provide free 30 day trials, if you opt in on Amazon Prime delivery services, etc etc.
Netflix is totally owning the TV streaming service (not only in India, but everwhere else) since they started in India.. Amazon wants a slice of that cake.
IMDb is their 'Film/ TV database'
Now for the *SPOILER*
Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are both investing a bucket load of money to show 'original Indian content' from 2017.
Now.. this is just between us,
But Amazon (and Netflix, btw) are both now approaching film production houses to make:
Original content (first tier)
Then they will go after TV/commercial names (2nd tier)..
Then everyone else with a short film once they've established the brand (3rd tier).
This is why IMDb is pushing local content on you. MARKETING.
The reason we are enduring this is because Amazon Prime Video will push Original Indian content on it's subscribers from Summer, 2017.
They want you to fall in love with Bollywood again. Simple.
This Indianized IMDb crap won't end and IMDb don't have a say... Amazon decides.
If you want to get rid of it...
DON'T SIGN UP FOR AMAZON PRIME VIDEO.
https://www.netflix.com/in/
I don't work for Netflix, btw (..... but then, Netflix aren't f**king with IMDb)
Why would I need a whole browser with VPN?
Hmmm... aacha!
IMDb, as we already know, is owned by Amazon.
Amazon Prime Video is a new streaming service (from IMDbs' boss company, btw) provided in India to go up against the mighty Netflix.
They provide free 30 day trials, if you opt in on Amazon Prime delivery services, etc etc.
Netflix is totally owning the TV streaming service (not only in India, but everwhere else) since they started in India.. Amazon wants a slice of that cake.
IMDb is their 'Film/ TV database'
Now for the *SPOILER*
Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are both investing a bucket load of money to show 'original Indian content' from 2017.
Now.. this is just between us,
But Amazon (and Netflix, btw) are both now approaching film production houses to make:
Original content (first tier)
Then they will go after TV/commercial names (2nd tier)..
Then everyone else with a short film once they've established the brand (3rd tier).
This is why IMDb is pushing local content on you. MARKETING.
The reason we are enduring this is because Amazon Prime Video will push Original Indian content on it's subscribers from Summer, 2017.
They want you to fall in love with Bollywood again. Simple.
This Indianized IMDb crap won't end and IMDb don't have a say... Amazon decides.
If you want to get rid of it...
DON'T SIGN UP FOR AMAZON PRIME VIDEO.
https://www.netflix.com/in/
I don't work for Netflix, btw (..... but then, Netflix aren't f**king with IMDb)
No disrespect, suresh_after_IT, but the first thought that came to my mind is... "No shit, Sherlock!"
I think most people know WHY they did it. That is not the point. The point is HOW they did it.
They basically assumed that they know better than us about what content we want. They assumed this because a racial bias exists. They have no real respect for the people of this country. They just want to milk it because it is an untapped market. THAT is my fundamental problem with this IMDb India feature. They think we should not be entitled to the same rights and options that their western users enjoy. Knowing WHY they did it is not enough. Calling them out on it and demanding that we be put on par with our western counterparts is required. Inaction will feed into their bias and make it stronger.
Not signing up for Amazon Prime is not the solution. It will be months, even years before there will be any change if they don't see their users leaving immediately.
As for me, I have found other options for 2/3 things I used IMDb for:
1. International trailers - Sub'ed a couple of youtube chans.
2. Tracking TV shows - Found an alternate site, which is actually more robust than IMDb.
3. Tracking watched movies and watchlisting movies to watch - Looking for alternatives. As soon as I find one, bye bye IMDb.
I am a global citizen and I demand the same rights as my global counterparts enjoy and are entitled to. Else I leave. Its as simple as that.
I think most people know WHY they did it. That is not the point. The point is HOW they did it.
They basically assumed that they know better than us about what content we want. They assumed this because a racial bias exists. They have no real respect for the people of this country. They just want to milk it because it is an untapped market. THAT is my fundamental problem with this IMDb India feature. They think we should not be entitled to the same rights and options that their western users enjoy. Knowing WHY they did it is not enough. Calling them out on it and demanding that we be put on par with our western counterparts is required. Inaction will feed into their bias and make it stronger.
Not signing up for Amazon Prime is not the solution. It will be months, even years before there will be any change if they don't see their users leaving immediately.
As for me, I have found other options for 2/3 things I used IMDb for:
1. International trailers - Sub'ed a couple of youtube chans.
2. Tracking TV shows - Found an alternate site, which is actually more robust than IMDb.
3. Tracking watched movies and watchlisting movies to watch - Looking for alternatives. As soon as I find one, bye bye IMDb.
I am a global citizen and I demand the same rights as my global counterparts enjoy and are entitled to. Else I leave. Its as simple as that.
