iWorld
Silly Monks appoints C Ratnakar Rao as non-executive chairman
MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based digital media entertainment company Silly Monks Entertainment Ltd has expanded its board of directors with the appointment of independent director and chairman C Ratnakar Rao.
C Ratnakar Rao, a graduate in economics (Delhi and Osmania Universities) and management education programme – (IIM-Ahmedabad), brings invaluable experience in the domestic and international markets in the areas of media and advertising spanning over 25 years, having worked with leading Indian and international advertising agency networks (RK Swamy/BBDO and DDB Worldwide) – India, middle east, north Africa and European markets.
He was a faculty at Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad’s Hyderabad campus) and has served as a member of the academic council in Osmania University’s department of communication and journalism. He also served as president of The Advertising Club of Hyderabad for four terms at different stages.
Silly Monks MD Sanjay Reddy said: “He is highly regarded in his respective fields and I look forward to deriving the maximum out of his vast experience to help Silly Monks catapult to the next level.”
“COVID-19 times have helped us learn a lot, with increased revenues during the adversities we look forward to a leaner and a smarter organisation while praying for an early cure for this pandemic.”
Ratnakar Rao added, “The future of media and entertainment is perhaps one of the most fascinating stories unfolding in the world today. I cannot be more excited than being part of an industry that is driven by passionate innovation and creativity. Silly Monks has been occupying a vital position in this space and I’m quite delighted by the opportunity to be associated with an energetic and promising organization like Silly Monks. It’s a great honour and I look forward to seeing the organization making remarkable progress as we take ambitious strides.”
Ratnakar has been associated with marketing communication activities of major international brands including Sony, Almarai Dairy, Clorox Corporation, Henkel Germany, General Motors Corporation and Landmark Retail Group. He was also associated with the advertising of many leading brands not limiting to Hyderabad Industries, Coromandel Fertilisers, Vizag Steel, Margadarsi Group, Continental Coffee, Furniture World Group, Birla Shakti Cement, Apollo Hospitals, Care Hospitals, Ratnadeep Retail and many more.
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.
