iWorld
Amazon miniTV announces upcoming cyber-crime drama ‘Hack Crimes Online’
Mumbai: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service today unveiled the teaser for their upcoming crime thriller, Hack Crimes Online. Based on a novel by India’s prominent cyber-crime investigator, Amit Dubey, the crime thriller is produced by Friday Storytellers co-founder Shital Bhatia. The series features talented actors, Vipul Gupta and Riddhi Kumar in pivotal roles.
The thrilling teaser gives us a glimpse into the world of hackers and their tactics to steal money and private information from people who fall victim to their devious schemes. As the teaser progresses, we see a group of young people who are a part of the police department solving corporate espionage, bank frauds, and kidnappings, while also fighting against threats to national security. The teaser of this rousing crime thriller sure does leave a residue of feeling that we are being watched 24/7. Can this team of young geniuses save innocent victims from a cybercrime that has no face?
Amazon miniTV head of content Amogh Dusad said, “We’re extremely elated to have partnered with Friday Filmworks for this title, who are known for their impactful and engaging filmography. I would also like to thank Mr. Amit Dubey for his inputs and immense contribution to this project. Through Hack Crimes Online, we intend to spread awareness amongst viewers about the dark world of cybercrime by sharing real-life stories”
Director Parmeet Sethi said “Whether it be work or entertainment, we spend almost all our waking hours today in front of a screen of some kind. Unfortunately, every screen is also a potential crime scene! Today’s criminal does not put a gun to your head and rob you; instead, he just clicks a key on a computer!
‘Hack Crimes Online’ sheds light on the alarming rise in cybercrime incidents in our times. The series portrays the journey of a ragtag cyber crime task force that sets about cracking cyber crime cases in our country. This anthology of cybercrime cases tackles different types of hacking methods used by cybercriminals and is inspired by the true life cases documented in the books authored by renowned cybercrime investigator Amit Dubey. The team consists of strong characters played by Vipul Gupta, Riddhi Kumar, Akash Ayyar, Akhil Khattar, Sajjad Hussain Khan and others.”
He further added, “The Friday Storytellers team has endeavored to bring to life the technicalities and nuances of these cyber crimes and also to keep it simple and understandable for the uninitiated. With Amazon miniTV as our partner, I am confident it will resonate with the audiences worldwide and hopefully even educate them in the dangers that lurk behind our screens.”
Friday Storytellers producer ands co-founder Shital Bhatia said, “I am delighted to announce our partnership with Amazon mini TV with the launch of our original series ‘Hack-Crimes Online’, a thriller based on true events which explores the dark underbelly of the cyber world and the dark web. Our constant endeavor at Friday Storytellers has been to tell local stories that inspire, educate and entertain and I hope this series will also win appreciation from our audiences as the world is not just intriguing but extremely topical. I would also like to congratulate our director Parmeet (Parmeet Sethi), the writer duo of Yash and Allison, and the entire cast and crew who worked very hard on this.”
Hack Crimes Online will soon be available exclusively for streaming on Amazon miniTV. You can download the Amazon miniTV on Playstore or watch it within the Amazon Shopping App or Fire TV.
iWorld
Micro-Dramas Surge in India, Redefining Mobile Content Habits
Meta-Ormax study maps rapid rise of short-form storytelling among 18–44 audiences.
MUMBAI: Micro-dramas aren’t just short, they’re the snack that ate Indian entertainment, and now everyone’s bingeing between the sofa cushions. Meta, in partnership with Ormax Media, has released ‘Micro Dramas: The India Story’, a comprehensive study unveiled at the inaugural Meta Marketing Summit: Micro-Drama Edition. The report maps how the vertical, bite-sized format is reshaping content consumption for mobile-first audiences aged 18–44 across 14 states.
Conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 through 50 in-depth interviews and 2,000 personal surveys, the research reveals that 65 per cent of viewers discovered micro-dramas within the last year proof of explosive adoption. Nearly 89 per cent encounter the format through social feeds and recommendations, making algorithm-driven discovery the primary engine rather than active search.
Key viewing patterns show a median of 3.5 hours per week (about 30 minutes daily) spread across 7–8 short sessions. Consumption peaks between 8 pm and midnight, with additional spikes during commutes and work breaks classic “in-between moments” that the format fills perfectly. Around 57 per cent of viewing happens in ambient mode (while doing something else), and 90 per cent is solo, enabling more intimate, personal storytelling.
Romance, family drama and comedy lead genre preferences. Audiences show growing openness to AI-generated content, 47 per cent find it unique and creative, while only 6 per cent say they would avoid it entirely. Regional languages are surging after Hindi and English, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada dominate consumption.
Meta, director, media & entertainment (India) Shweta Bajpai said, “Micro-drama isn’t a passing trend, it’s rewriting the rules of Indian entertainment. In under a year, an entirely new category of platforms has emerged, built audience habits from scratch, and created a business vertical that is scaling fast.”
Ormax Media founder-CEO Shailesh Kapoor added, “Micro-dramas are beginning to show the early signs of becoming a distinct content category in India’s digital entertainment landscape. When a format aligns closely with how audiences naturally engage with their devices, it has the potential to scale very quickly.”
The study proposes ecosystem-wide responsibility, universal signposting of commercial intent, shared accountability among advertisers, platforms, creators, schools and parents, built-in safeguards, and formal media literacy in schools.
In a feed that never sleeps and a day that never stops, micro-dramas have slipped into the cracks of every spare minute turning 30-second stories into the new national pastime, one vertical swipe at a time.
