iWorld
Google’s Sundar Pichai bats for free flow of cross-border data
MUMBAI: At a time when the Indian government is highly focussed on data localisation, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has advocated free flow of cross-border data. The Google exec wrote a letter to Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad where he said such a step would encourage global companies to contribute to India’s digital economy. However, he also mentioned the importance of data privacy and security.
“Free flow of data across borders – with a focus on user privacy and security – will encourage startups to innovate and expand globally and encourage global companies to contribute to India’s digital economy,” he said.
Thanking Prasad for his visit to Google’s Mountain View campus last month Pichai said the company shares the vision of creating a truly ‘Digital India’ and remains firmly committed to being part of the India growth story.
Recently, the Justice BN Srikrishna Committee recommended in a report that every data fiduciary in India shall ensure the storage of at least one serving copy of personal data on a server or data centre located in India. Along with that, it also stated that the government can notify some categories of personal data as critical personal data that have to be stored in a server or data centre located only in India. The government has extended the date to submit public feedback on the draft bill to 30 September.
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.
