iWorld
‘Stolen’ steals the spotlight as Prime Video reveals its winning strategy
MUMBAI: At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Mumbai, Prime Video hosted a lively deep-dive session on how Stolen transformed from a risky indie bet into a global breakout and, in the process, became a cinematic calling card for creators who dare to tell uncomfortable truths.
The panel brought together actor Abhishek Banerjee, writer-director Karan Tejpal, producer Gaurav Dhingra, and Prime Video India’s head of content acquisition Manish Menghani, with filmmaker Divyansh Jain steering the discussion.
The session opened with the story behind the story. Karan recalled the harrowing real-life incidents that inspired Stolen, many rooted in the wave of “WhatsApp lynchings” that swept across India between 2015 and 2020.
He said one incident from Assam stayed with him, “It wasn’t just the brutality, it was the laughter of unseen bystanders. I had to understand why this was happening in my own country.”
That urgency, he said, became the film’s spine.
For Prime Video, choosing Stolen wasn’t about scale, genre or commercial certainties. Manish explained that the platform’s content philosophy hinges on one question: Is this a story that must be told now? “This isn’t a film you simply watch. It confronts you and refuses to sit in a neat genre box. It’s rooted, raw and real and that’s what makes it powerful,” he said.
He added that the film’s execution sealed the deal. “It felt like someone telling me a story, not a film playing on screen. The performances were lived-in, the craft nearly global in standard, and the creators protected their vision all the way through, which is rare.”
Abhishek Banerjee spoke about the rigorous long-take sequences, rehearsed repeatedly with co-actor Shubham to maintain authenticity. “You’re acting, driving, staying in frame, keeping others unmasked , everything at once. It taught me the value of brutal rehearsal.”
When asked how the film might be remembered decades from now, Karan called it a “time capsule” of the country: a snapshot of a disturbing social moment that future generations could revisit to understand the times.
Manish highlighted the film’s thematic core: two brothers choosing between safety and moral responsibility. “That uncomfortable choice is what stays with you. It forces you to reflect on your own decisions.”
On supporting creator-driven films, he outlined three pillars: unwavering creative conviction, world-standard execution, and a strong team, with the business of cinema taken as seriously as the storytelling craft.
Producer Gaurav Dhingra echoed the importance of integrity in filmmaking, “Producing isn’t just spending money, it’s deciding what truly serves the film’s value.”
Prime Video’s presence at IFFI, the company said, reflects the growing role of streaming in elevating India’s creative economy and projecting homegrown stories onto a global canvas.
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.
