As India's entertainment industry explores new ways of reaching smartphone-first audiences, Rohit Guptaa, Founder and CEO of Reeloid Media, has called for a dedicated policy framework recognising vertical microdramas as a distinct segment of the country's expanding digital content economy.
Swati Bhat
Speaking during an interactive session at the CII Big Picture Summit 2026, held in Mumbai on October 15–16, Guptaa raised concerns about industry recognition, intellectual property protection and sustainable revenue opportunities for independent creators.
According to Reeloid Media's account of the discussion, Guptaa addressed C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighting the need for policies that acknowledge the emerging format and create a more supportive environment for digital-first production companies.
Why India's Microdrama Policy Framework Matters
Unlike conventional social media reels, vertical microdramas are scripted, episodic productions developed specifically for smartphone viewing. Their shorter running times, character-driven narratives and continuing storylines offer audiences an alternative to traditional television and long-form OTT entertainment.
However, as the format develops into a commercial entertainment category, questions surrounding content ownership, licensing, investment and creator compensation are becoming increasingly relevant.
Guptaa's intervention centred on three areas: formal recognition of vertical microdramas within the broader media ecosystem, institutional and financial support for independent storytellers, and stronger mechanisms for protecting digital rights while enabling monetisation. "Microdramas are not just quick entertainment; they are a completely new narrative medium built around how modern audiences interact with screens," Guptaa said in a statement shared by Reeloid Media.
His proposal also called for a framework that could help Indian creators and emerging entertainment startups compete in international markets.
A Growing Entertainment Format With New Commercial Challenges
The discussion comes as India's microdrama business attracts increasing industry attention. Research published by Redseer Strategy Consultants in September 2026 indicates that microdramas have begun establishing a paying audience, while advertising-supported viewing and micropayments could become important revenue opportunities alongside subscriptions.
Yet audience growth alone does not guarantee sustainable returns for production houses. For independent filmmakers, the ability to retain intellectual property, negotiate transparent licensing arrangements and earn consistent revenue may prove equally important. The wider policy conversation at the CII Big Picture Summit reflected several of these concerns. At the event, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar emphasised the importance of original intellectual property, sustainable business models and the development of globally competitive Indian media companies. Seen in that context, Guptaa's appeal draws attention to a particular segment of the creative economy that is developing alongside established film, television and OTT businesses.
Reeloid's Vision for Mobile-First Storytelling
Reeloid Media operates in the vertical entertainment space, developing and distributing short episodic stories designed for mobile screens. Founded by filmmaker and technology entrepreneur Rohit Guptaa, the platform aims to connect independent storytellers with audiences seeking fiction in compact, accessible formats. For Reeloid, the policy conversation extends beyond its own business model. Clearer industry recognition and rights-management practices could potentially help writers, actors, technicians and small production companies participate more effectively in the growing microdrama ecosystem.
The discussion at CII Big Picture Summit 2026 underscores an emerging question for India's entertainment industry: as storytelling formats evolve, how should the systems supporting creators, investment and content ownership evolve with them? While Mr.Gupta's proposals remain industry recommendations rather than announced government measures, they contribute to a broader conversation about how India can convert digital creativity into sustainable intellectual property and internationally competitive entertainment businesses.