Rohit Gupta: Building the Next Generation of Mobile-First Entertainment

As audiences increasingly consume entertainment on smartphones, the traditional boundaries of storytelling, screen formats and content distribution are changing rapidly. From short-form videos to vertical narratives, mobile-first entertainment is creating new opportunities for creators and platforms to rethink how stories are developed and consumed.

Swati Bhat

At the centre of this emerging space is Rohit Gupta, the Founder of Reeloid, a platform focused on vertical, mobile-first storytelling. With a background in chemical engineering, filmmaking and technology, Gupta’s journey reflects the convergence of creativity and digital innovation that is reshaping the entertainment industry.

Gupta began his professional career with an IT startup working on assessment and examination systems. His interests, however, remained closely connected to storytelling, design and the arts. He eventually began creating documentaries and short films, with his first documentary winning the Best Documentary Award at the Rajasthan International Film Festival. One of his short films was subsequently selected for the short film section at the Cannes International Film Festival.

His filmmaking journey has continued alongside his entrepreneurial work. Gupta is currently involved in a documentary project with the Indian Navy documenting the recreation of a fifth-century ship. The project has been in production for more than two years and has also received public acknowledgment from the Prime Minister through a social media post.

It was his early experiments with vertical storytelling that eventually led to Reeloid.

From Vertical Experiment to Reeloid

Gupta says the idea for Reeloid took shape in 2021, when he was experimenting with vertical video content. Along with his team, he developed a 12-minute vertical drama divided into one-minute episodes.

At a time when the format was still relatively unfamiliar to mainstream OTT platforms, the team eventually released the project independently. The response encouraged Gupta to explore the format further. “The idea for Reeloid emerged in 2021 when I was working on vertical video content and realized that storytelling itself could be adapted to a vertical, mobile-first format,” Mr.Gupta explains. For him, the evolution of storytelling is closely connected to changing audience behaviour. Reeloid takes its name from the combination of the cinematic idea of celluloid and the accessibility of mobile-first entertainment, reflecting the platform’s larger ambition.

Keeping Storytelling Human in an AI-Driven Industry

While artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of entertainment production, Gupta believes technology should support storytelling rather than replace the creative process. Reeloid works with writers and creators to develop character-driven narratives across genres including romance, drama, horror and slice-of-life stories. The emphasis, according to Mr.Gupta, is on relatable characters and authentic emotional experiences rather than simply reproducing formats that have performed well elsewhere. “Storytelling remains a deeply human craft,” he says, while acknowledging that AI can play a role in production planning, content analysis and optimisation. This philosophy also informs Reeloid’s approach to audience engagement. Mr.Gupta believes strong hooks can attract viewers, but relatability is what ultimately sustains their interest.

One example he cites is an early story centred on a woman entrepreneur starting a cloud kitchen, which connected strongly with viewers. Rather than attempting to create content for every demographic, Reeloid focuses on specific audience segments and stories designed around their experiences and aspirations.

Technology as an Enabler

For a mobile-first entertainment platform, technology is not simply a distribution mechanism. It also shapes how content can be produced, adapted and monetised.

Gupta says Reeloid has developed its own technology platform, giving the company greater flexibility to experiment with different business models beyond conventional subscription and advertising-led approaches. The platform also uses AI at different stages of the production process, including planning, post-production and content optimisation. Mr.Gupta, however, maintains that technological advancement has to remain secondary to the creative purpose of a story. “Our goal is to leverage advanced tools to improve efficiency and audience experience while preserving the creative integrity and emotional depth of storytelling,” he says. The approach also opens possibilities around adapting existing content for vertical consumption and exploring new forms of mobile storytelling.

Taking Indian Stories to a Global Audience

Rohit Gupta’s long-term ambition extends beyond creating another short-form content platform. He wants Reeloid to become a destination for vertical storytelling while taking Indian narratives to audiences outside India. The strategy involves experimenting with genres and formats while using audience insights and performance data to understand which concepts have the potential to develop further. That could eventually allow stories that begin as mobile-first vertical content to expand into larger entertainment properties, including feature films and long-format productions. For Rohit Gupta, the opportunity lies in connecting technology, audience behaviour and traditional storytelling craft. “My vision for Reeloid is to become a global destination for vertical storytelling while showcasing authentic Indian narratives to international audiences,” he says.

From engineering to filmmaking and now mobile-first entertainment, Mr.Rohit’s journey reflects an industry where creative instincts and technological capabilities are increasingly intertwined. Reeloid represents his attempt to build within that intersection creating a platform where stories are designed not only for a new generation of screens, but also for the changing ways audiences discover, experience and connect with entertainment.

About Rohit Gupta

Rohit Gupta is a filmmaker, storyteller and entrepreneur and the Founder of Reeloid. A chemical engineer by education, he transitioned into filmmaking and digital entertainment, with recognition for his work at the Rajasthan International Film Festival and Cannes. He continues to work across documentaries, films and emerging digital entertainment formats.

Website: reeloid.app

Jyotiraditya Scindia on Gen Z, Dissent, Education and India’s Telecom Future

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia engages with I.I.M.U.N. young leaders in Mumbai, discussing dissent, education, technology, telecom and the Northeast

Swati Bhat

Mumbai, September 2026: 

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, engaged in a dynamic conversation with the young leadership team of I.I.M.U.N. (India’s International Movement to Unite Nations) at the organisation’s headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday.

The interaction encompassed discussions on student protests, freedom of expression, education, responsible citizenship, India’s telecommunications journey, technology, and the development of the Northeast. The dialogue also explored the relationship between different generations and the pivotal role young Indians can play in shaping the country’s future.

A defining moment occurred when Mr.Scindia addressed the derogatory label of Gen Z as “cockroaches.” With conviction, the Union Minister declared, “Whoever said this, I can go on record saying this, had no right to say this. No right whatsoever, irrespective of the position, or wherever. Every single citizen of this country is contributing to making our nation great.”

Scindia on dissent: patriotism and criticism can coexist

Addressing questions about student protests and criticism of the government, Scindia affirmed that dissent is a crucial element of democracy. He emphasized that criticism should be paired with a willingness to contribute.

“There is no competition between loving your country and criticising the dispensation. They both exist together,” Mr.Scindia stated. The Minister also advocated for greater dialogue between generations, warning against societal division through labels like Gen Z and Gen Alpha. According to Scindia, ideas and wisdom transcend age, caste, creed, or religion. Quoting the phrase “Wisdom lives everywhere,” he encouraged the young participants to engage with people across generations and backgrounds.

Education needs to move beyond rote learning

Education was another key focus during the interaction. Scindia advocated for ongoing reforms, emphasizing application-based learning and skills over rote memorization.

Discussing the NEET re-examination, he highlighted the logistical challenges in conducting exams and stated, “Conducting examinations take months of planning. Taking the issue into consideration, on the Honourable Prime Minister’s call, the government was instructed to conduct the re-examinations in just 20 days.”

He also stressed the importance of continuous teacher training, arguing that educators need to evolve with changing student needs and the broader education ecosystem.

From technology consumer to technology maker

India’s transformation in telecommunications was another major highlight of the conversation. Mr.Scindia underscored the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous telecom technology and manufacturing, stating, “We are not a market for technology. We are the makers of it.” He noted the rollout of India’s indigenous 4G technology stack through BSNL and the rapid expansion of 5G connectivity. According to the Minister, India achieved 99.9% district coverage and 85% population coverage within 26 months. He also discussed the expansion of BSNL’s 4G network and the use of indigenously developed components, emphasizing the importance of building and manufacturing advanced telecom technology within India. Beyond telecommunications, Scindia highlighted developments across digital payments, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and space technology as areas where young Indians could drive the country’s next phase of growth. “Who’s going to do the heavy lifting now? You guys?” he challenged the young delegates!

Northeast as India's “window for the world”

In a rapid-fire segment, Scindia described the Northeast as a “window for the world” for India, integrating the region into a broader discussion about connectivity, development, and the country's future. The conversation also ventured into lighter topics, touching upon Mumbai, Gwalior, education, personal preferences, and the Minister’s sources of inspiration. For I.I.M.U.N., the interaction embodied the central idea behind its Leadership Series: creating a platform where young people can directly question individuals shaping public life.

I.I.M.U.N. Founder Mr.Rishabh Shah stated, “Dialogue is an essential part of any democracy. And finally, the country is paying attention to Gen Z because of its outsized impact on politics.” He added that the organisation has spent the last 15 years empowering young people to question, engage, and form their own views. Mr. Shah described the interaction as a reflection of that philosophy, particularly the opportunity for young participants to ask Scindia challenging and crowdsourced questions on Gen Z, politics, the Northeast, and his personal experiences.

Encouraging young Indians to make a difference

India's International Movement to Unite Nations was founded in 2011 as a youth-run non-profit organisation focused on leadership, dialogue, study tours, social impact initiatives, and engagement with national and global issues. Its Leadership Series has brought its young leadership team into conversations with personalities from politics, business, cinema, fashion, public administration, and other fields. The organisation asserts its objective is not to dictate what young people should think, but to provide access to diverse perspectives and the confidence to question them. Concluding his interaction with the young delegates, Mr.Scindia left them with a message centered on individual agency and participation: “Have the confidence that each one of you here can make a difference.”

Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/u5tXlcalvIYsi=P4VJn8bD7Ie1L1IP

Animation and Gaming Industry Budget 2026: FM Proposes Nationwide Labs for Content Creators

In a landmark move for India’s digital economy, the Union Budget 2026 has delivered a massive boost to the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has suggested the creation of Content Creator Labs across the country, a strategic plan aimed at boosting India’s thriving creator economy and establishing the nation as a global content hub.

Bridging the Infrastructure Gap

The planned Content Creator Labs are intended to make high-end technology more accessible. By offering cutting-edge software, motion-capture tools, and rendering farms, the government is creating equal opportunities for creators in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. These hubs will act as incubation centers, enabling young talent to evolve from hobbyists into professional game developers and 3D animators.

Key Highlights for the AVGC Sector:

• National Reach: Expanding digital infrastructure beyond major urban centers.

• Skill Development: Specialized training programs to fulfill the global demand for VFX and gaming experts.

• IP Creation: Promoting "Made in India" intellectual property to compete internationally.

Economic Impact and Employment

India’s gaming industry has evolved beyond mere consumption to become a significant source of job creation. The Finance Minister’s proposal acknowledges the AVGC-XR sector as a crucial component of the "Create in India" vision. By nurturing a localized ecosystem, the government anticipates generating millions of high-skilled jobs, thereby fueling economic growth through digital exports.

The Future of Indian Gaming

This budget allocation signifies a change in how the government views digital entertainment. With labs established nationwide, the entry barriers for digital storytellers and developers will be significantly reduced.

As India’s animation and gaming industry continues to grow, these labs will serve as catalysts for the next wave of global blockbusters and viral gaming hits. The 2026 Budget has officially laid the groundwork for a creative revolution.

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