iWorld
Short takes, big applause as Kuku TV rolls out India’s first microdrama awards
MUMBAI: When stories come in snackable sizes, the celebrations can still be supersized. Kuku TV rolled out the red carpet for the country’s first awards ceremony dedicated entirely to microdramas, hosting the inaugural Kuku TV Awards 2025 on January 7 at The Nines, Juhu, Mumbai.
The evening marked a milestone moment for India’s fast-growing microdrama ecosystem, bringing together actors, creators and industry voices who are shaping this short-form storytelling boom. The event drew several familiar faces from television and digital entertainment, alongside Kuku TV’s founders and leadership team, underscoring the format’s growing cultural and commercial relevance.
Designed to celebrate a genre that thrives on brevity and binge-worthiness, the awards spanned 19 categories, with winners decided through a blend of audience engagement data and platform-led voting. The night balanced accolades with entertainment, featuring stand-up comedy by Anirban Dasgupta and live musical performances between award segments.
Among the top honours, My Homeless Billionaire Husband was named best microdrama, having clocked over 200 million views on the Kuku TV app. Abhyuday Pandey and Puja Bharati Sharma took home best actor and best actress respectively, while Nikhil Kulshrestha won best director, Ananya Patnayak best writer and Santosh Bajantre best cinematography.
Character-led storytelling took centre stage too. Awards were handed out for categories such as Best billionaire character, Best vamp character, most fashionable character, Best senior character and best child character, highlighting how even short-format narratives can build memorable screen personas.
In a nod to its community-driven ethos, several trophies were presented by Kuku TV users themselves, reinforcing the platform’s audience-first approach and the close creator–viewer loop that powers microdramas.
Commenting on the occasion, Kuku co-founder Vinod Kumar Meena said the awards were created to recognise the shows, performances and creators across Kuku TV’s ecosystem, reflecting how far both the platform and the microdrama format have come in India.
The debut edition of the Kuku TV Awards signals that while microdramas may be short on duration, they are no longer small on ambition or applause.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
