iWorld
TTT and Maybelline launch gen z microdrama ‘Pookie’ capturing college romance
MUMBAI: Collective Artists Network’s Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT), India’s leading storytelling platform, has released Pookie, a four-episode microdrama that captures the messy, funny, and tender moments of college life.
Backed by Maybelline New York’s super-stay matte ink collection, the series follows the journey of Raima, played by content creator Tarini Shah, a lively, coffee-loving student full of hobbies and Arko, a quieter soul who finds joy in nature and simplicity.
Pookie reflects on first friendships, first love, and the small yet unforgettable experiences that shape college years. With its unfiltered, relatable tone, the series resonates with gen z audiences, spotlighting how beauty and self-expression go hand-in-hand in today’s world.
Speaking about the collaboration, Maybelline New York India, general manager, Jessica Rode said, “Confidence and self-expression are at the heart of today’s generation. Pookie with TTT gave us the perfect opportunity to be part of a story that felt authentic and relevant to our consumers. The emerging format of micro-dramas really helped us engage young audiences beyond traditional campaigns and build a real connection between the brand and viewers.”
Featuring popular content creator Tarini Shah, whose presence in the fashion and lifestyle space amplifies the authenticity of the story, the series deepens its relatability for gen z audiences.
Terribly Tiny Tales, founder & CEO, Anuj Gosalia added, “Pookie was fun, heartfelt, and rooted in everyday experiences. It’s always special when brands support us in experimenting with formats like micro-dramas. TTT is on an exciting growth curve, and with partners like Maybelline, we’re even more motivated to deliver fresh, diverse storytelling.”
Pookie premiered on TTT’s Youtube channel on 27th September, with the finale streaming on 30th September 2025.
iWorld
Telcos push for unified rules as spam shifts to OTT platforms
Over 80 per cent fraud moves online, operators seek common framework.
MUMBAI: The spam may have left your phone network but it hasn’t left you alone. India’s telecom operators are once again dialling up the pressure for a unified regulatory framework, warning that fraud is rapidly migrating to internet-based platforms where oversight remains far looser. According to industry communication, a leading operator has written to multiple arms of the government including the Department of Telecommunications, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance arguing that tighter controls on traditional telecom networks are inadvertently pushing bad actors towards over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms.
The concern is not new, but the framing has sharpened. What was once an industry grievance is now being positioned as a consumer protection issue. Operators say that tackling spam in silos no longer works, as fraudsters seamlessly shift across platforms, exploiting regulatory gaps. The result: a moving target that traditional safeguards struggle to contain.
Executives point to a clear shift in fraud patterns. OTT platforms are increasingly being used for phishing links, impersonation scams and bulk unsolicited messaging, with industry estimates suggesting that over 80 per cent of spam activity has now migrated online. In this environment, the lines between telecom networks, messaging apps and financial fraud are blurring fast.
At the heart of the industry’s demand is a call for a technology-neutral regulatory framework, one that applies consistently across telecom and internet-based communication services. Operators argue that the absence of uniform safeguards, such as sender verification systems, robust spam filters and clearly defined accountability mechanisms, has created enforcement blind spots that fraudsters are quick to exploit.
The proposal is straightforward but far-reaching. Telcos are pushing for baseline anti-fraud measures across all communication platforms, alongside faster response systems and deeper coordination between ministries. Given the interconnected nature of telecom networks, digital platforms and financial systems, they argue that fragmented oversight only weakens the overall defence.
The broader issue is regulatory arbitrage, the ability of bad actors to hop between platforms based on which is least regulated at any given time. Without harmonised rules, operators say, efforts to curb fraud risk becoming a game of whack-a-mole.
As digital communication continues to expand, the debate is shifting from who regulates what to how consistently it is regulated. For now, telecom operators are making their case clear: in a world where spam travels freely, regulation cannot afford to stay fragmented.
