The entertainment landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with established companies now breathing new life into dormant television properties. Instead of letting valuable intellectual property (IP) gather dust in archives, studios are adapting these beloved shows for the fast-paced, vertical-video generation through microdramas. This innovative approach promises a fresh viewing experience for classic serials.
Major Studios Embracing Microdrama
Leading the charge are entertainment giants like ZEE and Applause Entertainment. ZEE has licensed popular titles such as:
• Agent Raghav
• Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo
• Santoshi Maa
• Fear Files
These shows are being adapted by Story TV into short-form content. Similarly, Applause Entertainment is involved in the adaptation of its property, Hello Mini, showcasing a widespread industry shift towards this mobile-first format.
A New Life Cycle for Television IP
This development marks a pivotal moment for television IP. Traditional 200- or 300-episode serials are no longer limited to reruns. Broadcasters and studios can now:
• Repackage: Re-edit existing footage into concise segments.
• Reinterpret: Adapt familiar storylines for a modern audience.
• Mobile-First Design: Create episodes specifically structured around hooks, rapid twists, and cliffhangers, perfectly suited for smartphone viewing.
Beyond Old IPs: New Original Content
The microdrama surge isn't solely focused on historical content. Yash Raj Films has strategically invested in Rusk Media to develop original animation and vertical-microdrama IP. EPIC Studios, in collaboration with Rusk, is also developing a vast slate of new content, spanning mythology, mystery, thrillers, drama, and romance. EPIC Managing Director Aditya Pittie revealed plans to expand their initial slate of 50 series to over 250 titles by mid-next year, highlighting the massive potential in this segment.
Economic Advantages and Creative Freedom
One of the primary drivers behind this rapid experimentation is economics. Production models for vertical dramas can be incredibly cost-effective, ranging from approximately Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 per episode. This significantly lower cost allows studios to test a wider array of concepts and stories than is typically feasible with high-budget premium OTT series.
The Future: A Two-Way Street for Content
This trend offers exciting possibilities, especially for television nostalgia. Crime shows can be condensed into fast-paced, suspenseful episodes, supernatural properties can be reimagined as vertical horror, and beloved soap opera characters can be introduced to an entirely new Gen Z audience. More profoundly, this movement could eventually work both ways:
• An old TV show finds a new audience as a microdrama.
• A breakout microdrama character or story could potentially scale up to traditional television, OTT platforms, or even feature films.
After years of studios battling over remakes and sequels, India's next major IP gold rush is unfolding on the smallest screen – the six-inch smartphone, offering endless entertainment possibilities.
