iWorld
Shemaroo seizes pirated DVDs, VCDs worth Rs 250,000 in raid
MUMBAI: Home video company Shemaroo Video has announced that in a raid carried out at Movie Town – an outlet in the Mumbai suburb of Andheri a few days ago its anti-piracy team seized 812 pirated DVDs and VCDs worth rs. 250,000. An FIR has been filed against the owner of the shop at Lokhandwala Mansoor Ali.
The raid happened after initial surveys and warnings, which the owner ceased to heed. The raid, originally planned for 12 August 2005 got postponed after the owner got a whiff of the raid and shut shop.
With the help from Senior Inspector RR Joshi and other officers from the Social Service branch, the raid was again set in quite motion on 13 August. Pirated DVDs of recent releases like Paheli, Sarkar, Dus, Yahaan, Yakeen and Seher were caught in the raid. Incidentally, Shemaroo is releasing the original DVD of Dus tomorow 18th August. Other pirated copies of English films were also seized in this raid.
The Shemaroo anti-piracy team carries out various vigilance activities gathering information, surveillance and warning the pirates. The team also gives information about dealing in legitimate products and educates on the consequences of dealing in pirated video products. Only when they cease to heed to all the warnings that Shemaroo raids the outlet and takes action against the pirates.
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.
