iWorld
News18.com announces Jury members for its annual Auto and Tech awards
MUMBAI: News18.com announced its annual marquee property – the Tech and Auto Awards, first in this category combined awards for Technology and Automotive sector. The unique awards show aims to recognise and honour innovative products from the tech and auto sectors that have set the standards in their respective fields. The event will held on 29 November 2017 at New Delhi. The jury members for this distinctive property comprise some of the most sought after names from both national and international technology and auto sectors.
The prestigious jury includes Audi India head Rahil Ansari, who at 38 is the youngest brand director for Audi, across the globe. The panel also comprises OLA founding partner Pranay Jivrajka, an alumnus of IIT – Bombay, he is Ola’s founding partner and a part of the company’s core team since its inception in 2011. Facebook director South Asia Sandeep Bhushan, an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, who holds experience across fields of Media, CPG and Technology is also a part of the jury.
Other members on the panel are Big Boy Toyz founder & MD Jatin Ahuja, Huawei India Consumer Business Group CMO Suhail Tariq, technology columnist Ashish Bhatia, The Unbiased Blog founder & editor-in-chief Nikhil Chawla, The Mobile Indian founder & ME Sandeep Budki, Auto Journalist ex-SIAM Dy Director Ranojoy Mukherjee, MotorScribes founder & editor Vikram Gour, Exhibit Technologies founder & CEO Ramesh Somani and Photographer Sumit Dayal.
In a short span of time, since the announcement of the awards property, approximately 1.5 lakh votes have received from the online audience, for various award categories.
One of the many highlights of the evening is a Key Note speech by Qualcomm India VP and president Larry Paulson.
Paulson said, “I am honoured to be a part of News18’s unique Tech and Auto Awards property. The awards is a celebration for both the tech and auto industry combined. At the event, I am looking forward to meet leaders, innovators and creators of transformational designs and innovations that will define the future of technology and auto industry.”
News18.com technology and automobiles editor Siddhartha Sharma said, “We at News18.com have always believed in innovations and setting up trends for others to follow. The Tech and Auto Awards is a part of that initiative as we believe that why should the Indian consumer wait for Detroit and Silicon Valley to make innovations for us. The Tech and Auto Awards also presents a unique platform for the Technology and Automotive industry of India to come together under one roof and pave the way for future innovations and products in terms of technology and automobiles that are solution centric to Indian consumers. This is also a one of its kind awards events in India, and we as a part of a young and a very small team here at News18.com are proud of.”
Commenting on the announcement for the jury members, Network18 CEO digital Manish Maheshwari said, “Products of both tech and auto industries are more often than not judged on similar principles by consumers; the design, innovation, power, style amongst other factors. So, it is an absolute pleasure to bring experts, leaders, entrepreneur, achievers and more from both the fields under one roof for News18’s Tech and Auto Awards. It will be an evening to celebrate excellence, converse and let ideas perpetuate for steadfast growth of the two sectors.”
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
