iWorld
Netflix, Dharmatic Entertainment to bring documentary on Ma Anand Sheela
MUMBAI: Netflix in association Dharmatic Entertainment will produce a documentary on Ma Anand Sheela. The documentary is named as Wild Wild Country will focus on Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheela, and their community of followers in Oregon.
Ma Anand Sheela is the Indian-born American–Swiss spokeswoman of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from 1981 through 1985. Sheela pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault for her role in the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in Oregon.
Along with revealing facets of her that have thus far never been seen, a highlight of the documentary is a candid conversation between Ma Anand Sheela and director-producer Karan Johar, Netflix said in a statement. In this no-holds-barred chat, Karan asks questions that have been on viewers’ minds, which have been answered by her, in quintessential Ma Anand Sheela style, it added. The feature will be directed by documentary makers, Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya.
“Netflix has been a pioneer in bringing documentaries to Indian audiences and at Dharmatic, as we take a step towards producing newer formats, we're so pleased it starts with this. Wild Wild Country was a fascinating story and we’re excited to be producing a peek into the life and journey of the feisty Ma Anand Sheela. Non-fiction content is a dynamic space in India and we’re thrilled to be exploring it with a partner like Netflix," says Dharmatic CEO Apoorva Mehta.
"Some believe she’s the epitome of feminism, a pop icon, and others view her as the criminal mastermind behind one of America’s biggest scandals. But does anyone know who she really is? The documentary will attempt to peel the layers of her personality to unveil the real Ma Anand Sheela and show the world an inside glimpse of a woman whose antics and statements cause a stir wherever she goes," showrunner and executive producer Shakun Batra said in a statement.
iWorld
YRF, Red Chillies explore micro dramas as format gains ground
Short-format boom grows, 71 per cent users rely on UPI autopay.
MUMBAI: Big stories are getting shorter and Bollywood’s biggest studios are starting to think small to stay big. Yash Raj Films and Red Chillies Entertainment are independently evaluating entry into the micro drama space in 2026, signalling a strategic pivot as legacy players chase the fast-growing demand for bite-sized storytelling.
At YRF, the recent appointment of Saugata Mukherjee is being read as more than just a leadership shuffle. Industry insiders view the move as a deliberate step towards building a sharper, digital-first content pipeline. Mukherjee, who previously played a key role in shaping premium originals at SonyLiv, is known for backing narrative-led shows that helped the platform stand out in an increasingly crowded OTT market. His experience in scaling differentiated content is now expected to anchor YRF’s next phase of expansion.
While YRF’s plans appear relatively advanced, conversations around micro dramas are also picking up at Red Chillies, albeit at an earlier stage. Insiders suggest the studio is exploring the format as part of a broader rethink of content strategy in a market where attention spans and distribution formats are rapidly evolving.
The timing is hardly accidental. India’s micro drama ecosystem is already taking shape, with platforms such as JioHotstar (“Tadka”), Zee5 (“Bullet”), Amazon MX Player (“Fatafat”) and Tata Play (“Shots”) experimenting with mobile-first, episodic formats designed for binge consumption. Alongside these, niche players like Kuku TV, QuickTV and StoryTV are also building early traction.
What is driving this surge is not just format novelty but consumption behaviour. Data from Redseer indicates that content velocity and freshness are emerging as key engagement drivers, with users responding strongly to frequent releases and evolving story arcs. Interestingly, pricing is not a major friction point audiences are willing to pay, provided the content offers novelty and quality.
User feedback also points to a shift in taste. There is growing appetite for genre diversity beyond familiar tropes, opening up space for experimentation in storytelling formats. This creates an opportunity for both incumbents and new entrants to differentiate in what is quickly becoming a crowded segment.
Monetisation, however, remains tightly linked to ease of access. Around 71 per cent of users rely on UPI autopay for subscriptions, underlining the importance of seamless payment systems even as platforms explore diversified revenue models.
The rise of micro dramas is part of a larger shift in India’s digital entertainment landscape, where interactive media including audio streaming, social discovery and niche formats such as devotional and astrology-led content is gaining momentum. This broader segment is projected to grow into a $3.1–3.4 billion market by FY30, with micro dramas expected to be among the fastest-growing categories, outpacing traditional short-form video.
For studios like YRF and Red Chillies, the message is becoming clear: in a market where attention is fragmented, storytelling may need to shrink in size but not in ambition.
