iWorld
JioCinema unveils the trailer Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond
Mumbai: Not all wars are won on the battlefield and not all soldiers don uniforms! JioCinema takes you behind the scenes of India’s largest defence operation with the trailer launch of its upcoming fictional war room drama, Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond! The show releases on JioCinema on 25 April 2024. The remarkable storyline is helmed by a stellar ensemble cast that includes Jimmy Shergill, Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Ashish Vidyarthi and Prasanna. For the first time, a web series decodes the modern warfare that isn’t simply fought on physical borders but transcends to the domain of social media, digital tactics and covert political moves that have the power to reshape geopolitics. Directed by Santosh Singh, the series is produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa and Comall Sunjay W from Sphereorigins Multivision Pvt Ltd. The high-octane fictional drama, inspired by real-life events that shook the nation, is shot at a grand scale, setting new benchmarks in cinematic excellence for the entertainment landscape.
Boasting some never-seen-before aerial sequences, stellar performances and a powerful narrative that deftly captures every aspect, both on and off the battlefield, of India’s biggest and most sought-after defence operation – the web series promises a cinematic experience unlike any other.
Jimmy Shergill shared his excitement on the trailer launch, “This is unlike any role that I have done in the past. It has been challenging, to say the least, but also immensely satisfying to be part of India’s first war-room-focused series inspired from real-life events that shook the nation. We always read or hear about what happens on-ground during a war-like situation but being a part of Ranneeti allowed me to witness first-hand the strategy, the risk-taking, as well as the emotional trajectory of those who call the shots from inside the war-room. I remember an especially difficult schedule when the entire unit worked for 48 hours with no breaks but not a single cast member complained. We were on no-sleep but the adrenaline rush kept us going and how. It felt like we were right there in the middle of all the action.”
Ashutosh Rana further added to the sentiment and stated, “After every challenging show or film, I always feel like I’ve grown as an actor. Doing Ranneeti has been a crash course in India’s politics and defence philosophy! Chanakyaniti isn’t simply a word but the mantra inside those walls of a war room, when everything is on stake! For a die-hard patriot like me, playing the enemy was not easy. However, its roles like these that challenge us as actors.”
Ashish Vidyarthi, spoke about his role and experience of working on the show, “A show and opportunity like Ranneeti comes occasionally. Playing the role of the NSA chief has been challenging but the meetings with a few members from the defence forces really helped me grasp the nuances of my character. The prep work and workshops took me back to my NSD days! Playing a character of that stature is not easy, but Santosh brought the best out of us as actors. He paid attention to every little detail to stay as true and authentic to the characters as possible.”
Lara Dutta who plays a power-broker, spoke about the shooting experience, “The urgency, the split-second decision making and the pressure in a war-room is unlike any other. As actors, being able to translate those emotions in an honest and authentic manner is a tough task. However, when you work with a brilliant team like that of Ranneeti, you grow tremendously as an actor with every single scene and dialogue delivery. Being from an Air force background, working on the show felt close to home. We cannot wait for the audience to experience national pride the way we did, every single day on the set!”
Prasanna, who plays the role of our very own brave heart, Group Captain further added, “It’s been an absolute honour to play the role of a national hero. I just followed the script, but the team who was part of the actual operation created unscripted history with their courage and unmatched love for the nation. I remember feeling actual goosebumps while shooting the scenes when the Group Captain was captured by the Pakistani forces. Meeting some of the members who were a part of the operation was an absolute fan-boy moment for me that I will always treasure.”
Watch out for this gripping war-room web series, Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond, exclusively on JioCinema, streaming from 25 April 2024!
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.
