iWorld
Amazon MX Player backs Super Founders with big bet
MUMBAI: India’s startup dreams are getting a primetime power boost. Amazon MX Player has pulled the curtain on Bharat Ke Super Founders, a reality series that puts real money, real mentors and real pressure on budding entrepreneurs as they chase the biggest funding pool ever showcased on Indian entertainment.
Set to stream for free, the show brings action, ambition and a touch of boardroom drama as host and mentor Suniel Shetty guides founders pitching to a heavyweight panel of business leaders. Together with Recur Club, the tycoons have committed a landmark Rs 100 crore, making the series a genuine launchpad rather than just a television spectacle.
The format stands out for its insistence on authenticity, verified pitches and transparent investment conversations. Every founder steps in with real data and real intent, reflecting the show’s mission to spotlight Bharat’s diversity, grit and ingenuity. It celebrates the Super Founders, the everyday innovator whose conviction could spark meaningful change.
A power-packed panel fuels this mission. A. Velumani of Thyrocare, Nitish Mittersain of Nazara Technologies, Aarti Gupta of Anikarth Ventures, Shanti Mohan of LVX, Aditya Singh of All In Capital and Ankur Mittal of Physis Capital and Inflection Point Ventures form the core group. A rotating lineup of industry leaders joins through the season, adding fresh perspectives and varied investment philosophies. Recur Club’s Eklavya Gupta plays a key role in the Rs 100 crore commitment, bringing the company’s AI-driven debt infrastructure to the table.
Amazon MX Player director and head of content Amogh Dusad, said the series breaks new ground by presenting real deals and verified business fundamentals. He explained that the platform aims to democratise access to opportunity for founders across the country.
Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani, added that the show champions founders who embody India’s ambition and diversity, describing the investment pledge as a catalyst for scalable, high-impact businesses.
Suniel Shetty shared his excitement about hosting, noting that entrepreneurship is the beating heart of New India. He said that every participant brings a story worth hearing and a determination worth backing.
Investor and tycoon A. Velumani, said the show offers focused and frugal founders the opportunity they have long needed, emphasising that Bharat requires millions of successful entrepreneurs to power its future.
With big ideas, bigger inspiration and the biggest investment pool in Indian reality programming, Bharat Ke Super Founders promises high stakes, heartfelt stories and a front-row seat to the next wave of game-changing ventures. The series will stream free across Amazon MX Player, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV and Airtel Xstream.
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.
