iWorld
Reelsaga raises $2.1 million to script India’s leap into the global microdrama wave
MUMBAI: Microdrama startup Reelsaga has raised $2.1 million in a seed funding round led by Picus Capital, marking India’s formal foray into the booming global trend of short-form serial storytelling. The round drew backing from ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, 8i Ventures, Nazara Technologies, Waveform Ventures, Bharat Founders Fund, and angel investors.
Reelsaga’s app, now live, delivers vertically shot, mobile-first fictional episodes in 50 to 100-part arcs—a genre popularised in China where short dramas now outperform traditional box office returns. With hyper-local storytelling and AI-driven personalisation, Reelsaga plans to scale across India, southeast Asia, and the middle east—markets projected to cross $10 billion in digital entertainment revenue by 2025.
“Vertical short dramas are a cultural revolution. Drama doesn’t need 40 minutes to move you”, said Reelsaga co-founder & CEO Shubh Bansal. “We’re using data science to deliver hyper-personalised stories at speed”.
Founded by ex-Truebil trio Bansal, Shanu Vivek, and Ritesh Pandey, the startup taps deep roots in consumer tech, creative media, and digital platforms. All three co-founders previously scaled and exited the used car marketplace Truebil, which was acquired by Spinny.
“We’re excited to back Reelsaga as they pioneer a new genre of storytelling”, said Picus Capital SVP Abhijay Thacker. “The team’s creative ambition and market clarity is rare. We see them leading the microdrama revolution in India”.
Microdramas have already gone mainstream in China, with over 5,000 series produced annually. Reelsaga aims to localise this model, offering narrative depth in bite-sized bursts tailored for India’s mobile-native gen z audience.
ITI Growth managing partner Mohit Gulati added, “They’re building for where the market is going—story-rich, culturally rooted, and mobile-first. The format is fresh and the team knows how to execute”.
With the fresh capital, Reelsaga plans to ramp up content production, refine its recommendation engine, and expand its creator network.
iWorld
Parineeti Chopra hosts new parenting series Mom Talks on Zee5 and Bullet
Celebrity parents share honest stories in 9-episode show launching 4 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Parineeti Chopra is stepping into a brand-new role not on the big screen, but as the warm, relatable host helping parents navigate the beautiful chaos of raising children. Bullet microdrama and Zee5 have announced the launch of Mom Talks, a fresh content-led IP hosted by the popular actress. The 9-episode series brings together celebrity parents including Imran Khan, Neha Dhupia, Vikrant Massey & Sheetal, and Gauahar Khan & Zaid Darbar to share candid, real-life perspectives on everyday parenting.
Positioned as a high-engagement format, Mom Talks taps into the growing demand for authentic and credible parenting content. It also offers seamless, contextual integration opportunities for brands. The series is backed by a strong lineup of partners including Johnson’s Baby, GSK, Aveeno Baby, Mini Klub, Titan Eye+ and Cordelia Cruises.
Bullet microdrama app, co-founder & chief business officer Azim Lalani said the show exemplifies how content is evolving towards more rooted, sustained engagement. “It’s about bringing content that people come back to, while creating a natural space for brands to be part of the narrative,” he noted.
Mom Talks creator Bullet head of AVOD & partnerships Munaf Merchant explained the core idea, “We wanted to build a safe, honest, one-stop destination for parents seeking real answers to everyday questions.”
The first episodes will stream for free on ee5 AVOD starting 4 April 2026, with new episodes dropping every Friday and Saturday. The series will also be available on the Bullet microdrama app.
Speaking about their association, Peeyush Unikkat from Johnson’s Baby highlighted the brand’s focus on supporting modern parenting journeys, while Aakash Mehta from GSK emphasised the show’s role in making important health conversations more relatable for new parents.
In a digital space often filled with filtered perfection, Mom Talks promises something refreshingly real honest conversations, celebrity insights, and practical wisdom, all wrapped in Parineeti Chopra’s engaging presence. For Indian parents, this could be the parenting series they’ve been waiting to binge.
