iWorld
Anil Kumar joins Skandha Media as director of growth & biz development
MUMBAI: Cloud-based playout, broadcast, and OTT solutions provider Skandha Media Services has appointed Anil Kumar as director of growth and business development.
Kumar brings over seven years of industry experience, having previously served as director of SaaS, south Asia at TVU Networks and India sales head at Amagi. He has contributed to high-profile projects with leading brands including Warner Bros. Discovery, Viacom18, Samsung TV Plus, IndiaTV, and Shemaroo.
In his new role, Kumar will spearhead Skandha’s growth strategy by driving adoption of its cloud and AI-powered ad monetisation tools within general entertainment and news platforms, while expanding its live sports streaming customer base. He will focus on gathering client insights, forging new technology partnerships, and expanding the company’s reseller network.
Skandha Media Services founder & CEO Yogesh Salian said: “Anil’s proven track record in sales, data-driven decision-making, and his extensive industry network will be invaluable as we strategically broaden our presence across south Asia and beyond.”
Said Kumar: “Skandha’s culture of creativity, leadership, and its reputation for delivering first-class playout services for major events like those on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema were key factors in my decision. I look forward to contributing to its continued growth.”
Kumar holds a bachelor of engineering from BIT Sindri Engineering College and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, where he was recognised as “the most creative mind” on campus. He is also a published author, sketch artist, and mentor to young professionals.
iWorld
Amazon MX Player launches free micro-drama destination Fatafat
New platform offers serialized short-form stories with Munawar Faruqui campaign.
MUMBAI: Amazon MX Player just made micro-dramas free because the only thing shorter than the episodes is now the price tag (zero). Amazon MX Player has launched Fatafat, India’s first completely free premium micro-drama destination, giving mobile-first audiences access to fast-paced, serialized short-form stories without any paywall. Designed for quick viewing bursts, Fatafat features a growing catalogue of romance, drama, thriller and youth-led narratives in bite-sized episodes that are instantly bingeable. Unlike most micro-drama platforms that charge for access, Fatafat removes the barrier entirely, expanding the format’s reach across India.
The launch is supported by a humorous digital campaign fronted by comedian-actor Munawar Faruqui. The spots playfully highlight how small spends on paid micro-drama apps could be better used elsewhere, positioning Fatafat as the smarter, no-cost choice for engaging entertainment.
Amazon MX Player head Karan Bedi said, “Our vision has always been to make premium entertainment accessible to everyone, free of cost. With Fatafat, we are extending that promise to the rapidly growing micro-drama category quick, engaging and mobile-first while remaining completely free for viewers across India.”
Amazon MX Player head of content Amogh Dusad added, “Micro-dramas open up exciting creative possibilities for storytelling. With Fatafat, we are building a diverse slate of serialized stories across genres while keeping the experience fast, engaging and accessible to viewers everywhere.”
Munawar Faruqui said, “Today’s entertainment landscape is defined by content that is fast, engaging, and instantly accessible. Shooting for the campaign was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially as the scenarios felt incredibly authentic and relatable.”
Fatafat will continue to expand its library with several new titles in the coming months. The destination is available to stream for free on the Amazon MX Player mobile app.
In a country where attention spans are shrinking faster than episode lengths, Amazon MX Player isn’t just joining the micro-drama party,it’s throwing the doors wide open and telling everyone the snacks (and stories) are on the house.
