iWorld
Balaji Telefilms and Story TV forge alliance for micro-dramas
MUMBAI: India’s Balaji Telefilms, the production house behind two decades of television hits, has teamed up with Story TV, a fledgling micro-drama platform, to flood smartphones with bite-sized narratives tailored for impatient viewers.
The collaboration promises original content spanning multiple genres and languages, designed for vertical screens and short attention spans. Story TV, launched earlier this year by the Eloelo group, claims 10 million users already—a rapid ascent for a platform banking on one-minute episodes.
“Micro dramas will be more than a $5 billion market in the next three years,” predicts Story TV founder & chief executive Saurabh Pandey. “Together with Balaji, our exclusive partnership will make micro dramas a staple across India.”
Balaji Telefilms jt managing director Ekta Kapoor calls the alliance “a game-changer, setting the stage for powerful, fresh storytelling that’s fearless and fast-paced.”
Balaji brings decades of audience trust and a catalogue of iconic serials to a format that strips storytelling down to its essentials.
Balaji Telefilms chief executive Sanjay Dwivedi frames it as evolution. “Micro dramas represent an exciting frontier—short, impactful, and designed for today’s mobile-first viewers,” he says. “This collaboration allows us to take our storytelling legacy into a new format.”
Story TV has already amassed over 300 original micro-dramas with titles like Mafia Don, Secret Soldier and Hacker King. The platform’s vertical-video approach aligns with consumption habits shaped by social media, where brevity trumps depth and swipes outnumber sits.
The partnership marks a significant bet on India’s appetite for culturally rooted stories delivered at breakneck speed—entertainment reimagined for thumbs, not remotes.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
