Pena, Newman and Luna near the Gateway Of India. Pic/netflix

On the itinerary of Netflix's Narcos: Mexico - actors Diego Luna and Michael Pena along with showrunner Eric Newman - was a visit to the Gateway Of India and a taste of Mumbai's favourite beverage, the cutting chai
Sonil Dedhuia (MID-DAY; November 12, 2018)

Keeping their date with India, the team of Netflix's Narcos: Mexico — actors Diego Luna and Michael Pena along with showrunner Eric Newman — landed in Mumbai on Saturday night.

While the trio is set to meet filmmakers and fans alike as they discuss the future of digital entertainment in the country, in an event scheduled for today, it was all play on Sunday as they explored the Maximum City. On the itinerary was a visit to the Gateway Of India and a taste of Mumbai's favourite beverage, the cutting chai.

A source says, "While Eric has visited Mumbai before, Michael and Diego were keen to take in as much as they could during their maiden trip. They experienced the hustle-and-bustle of Mumbai life first-hand as they toured the busy markets of Matunga. In the evening, the three visited the Taj Mahal Palace for a view of the Gateway Of India, where they enjoyed a round of cutting chai."

A trip to India would be incomplete without experimenting with the local cuisine on offer. "They gorged on Goan food for lunch at an iconic seafood joint in Fort."

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 10, 2018)

Given the runaway success of Narcos so far, viewers are naturally waiting with bated breath for the release of Narcos: Mexico, conceptualised as the fourth season of the crime drama.

While it is already known that the show's lead cast - including Michael Pena, Eric Newman and Diego Luna - is headed to India in the run-up to its release on November 16, mid-day has now learnt that Alia Bhatt has been invited to be part of a panel discussion with the stars scheduled for Monday. On the cards will be a dialogue on what makes the Netflix original series so popular, and the way ahead for digital entertainment. Kapoor & Sons (2016) director Shakun Batra is also expected to join the conversation.

A source reveals, "The opening discussion will be about what makes Narcos such a popular show in India. But the crux of the chat will be about how online streaming business has changed the game of content viewing in India.

This year was important for homegrown content as Sacred Games marked the first Netflix original from India. Considering it has been loved by viewers across the globe, the panel will also discuss the kind of content that is expected from our industry in the future."