iWorld
Moj puts short drama in fast forward with new creator challenge
MUMBAI: In a bid to prove that big stories do not need long runtimes, Moj has rolled out what it calls a first-of-its-kind Micro Drama Challenge, setting aside more than Rs 20 crore annually to spot, fund and shape India’s next generation of short-form storytellers.
The initiative, launched by Moj, the homegrown short video platform from Sharechat, is designed as an accelerator programme for studios building vertical micro-drama series bite-sized narratives made for smartphone viewing but backed by serious ambition. The move comes as short-form entertainment in India evolves from casual scrolling to structured storytelling with real monetisation potential.
At its core, the programme aims to discover and groom emerging studios that can tap into India’s rapidly growing appetite for episodic, vertical content. By bringing together creators, filmmakers and production houses, Moj is betting that micro-dramas stories told in one- to two-minute episodes can become a significant engine of growth in the country’s digital entertainment economy.
Applications for the Micro Drama Challenge are open until 26 January 2026. Moj plans to shortlist 10 studios by 31 January, each of which will receive a ₹10 lakh grant to develop original micro-drama series tailored for vertical viewing. While participants will have creative freedom, the format comes with clear boundaries: each series must run for at least an hour in total, broken into tightly edited episodes of one to two minutes each.
Beyond funding, Moj is offering participants access to its recommendation systems and audience insights, allowing studios to fine-tune their storytelling for engagement rather than guesswork. The platform says this data-led support is intended to help creators understand what resonates with viewers across regions, languages and genres.
Once shortlisted, studios will enter a competitive phase running until 31 March. During this period, creators will upload their micro-dramas on Moj, where the content will face a direct audience test across the platform’s 60 million-strong micro-drama viewer base. Genres are wide open from action and emotional drama to culturally rooted stories reflecting the diversity Moj hopes to unlock.
The programme culminates in a prize pool designed to help studios scale further. The winning team will take home Rs 25 lakhs, followed by Rs 15 lakhs for second place and Rs 5 lakhs for third. Beyond cash rewards, top performers will also be considered for future Moj Originals, offering a potential long-term pathway rather than a one-off win.
For Moj, the challenge is less about a single contest and more about building a pipeline. Manohar Singh Charan, Sharechat and Moj co-founder and CFO Manohar Singh Charan described the programme as a recurring launchpad for storytellers. He said the aim was to create an “enabler ladder” where independent studios could grow alongside established players, supported by funding, data and distribution.
According to Charan, the initiative reflects a broader shift in how audiences consume entertainment. With viewers increasingly gravitating towards personalised, snackable content, platforms need a deep and diverse supply of stories that feel relevant across regions and cultures. Moj’s recommendation systems, he noted, are built to match the right stories to the right audiences, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all feed.
The Micro Drama Challenge also highlights how short-form platforms are maturing beyond creator monetisation through ads and brand deals. By backing studios and structured storytelling, Moj is signalling a move towards a more organised content economy, one where vertical dramas can be planned, produced and promoted with the same seriousness as longer-format shows.
For creators, the appeal lies in access: funding, platform support, audience reach and the possibility of scaling into original commissions. For viewers, the payoff is variety, an expanding library of binge-worthy dramas that fit into short attention spans without sacrificing narrative depth.
As India’s short-video space grows more competitive, Moj’s bet is that the future lies not just in viral clips, but in compelling stories told quickly and well. With Rs 20 crore riding on that belief, the micro-drama race just got a lot more serious.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
