Watch the drama, BUY the heroine's outfit! Microdramas cross 1 BILLION daily episode views as shopping enters the storyline

India's microdrama revolution is entering an exciting new phase. After capturing audiences with bite-sized stories, dramatic twists and addictive cliffhangers, the rapidly growing entertainment format is now venturing into online shopping! ShareChat and Moj have introduced a new feature called 'Shop the Scene', which allows viewers to purchase products featured in their favourite microdramas while watching them.

The development comes at a time when microdramas are generating a staggering 1 billion episode views every day across the ShareChat network, according to figures shared by the company. The numbers underline the phenomenal popularity of vertical storytelling, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of India's digital entertainment industry. However, the company-reported viewership figure has not been independently verified.

The most fascinating aspect of the new initiative is its potential to transform entertainment into a shopping experience. Imagine watching a romantic microdrama and instantly purchasing the outfit worn by the heroine. Or watching a family drama and ordering a product featured in a particular scene. With 'Shop the Scene', this concept is becoming a reality. The feature is currently being enabled through partnerships with two major e-commerce platforms, although their identities have not been revealed. But that's not all. ShareChat and Moj are also experimenting with advertisements featuring actors from the microdramas themselves. These advertisements are strategically placed between episodes, particularly at moments when a story reaches a dramatic cliffhanger. The idea is to make brand promotions feel like a natural extension of the entertainment rather than a conventional commercial break. According to ShareChat, such campaigns have recorded three times higher engagement and 1.5 times higher click-through rates, although the company has not disclosed the benchmarks against which these improvements were measured. Apart from 'Shop the Scene', the platforms have introduced other advertising innovations, including Regional AR Lens, Pincode Webcard and Superlikes, aimed at helping brands engage with audiences across different regions and markets.

The timing of these launches is significant. According to Kantar's State of Microdrama in India research, nearly 55% of surveyed microdrama viewers increase their consumption during the festive season. This presents an attractive opportunity for advertisers looking to reach consumers during India's biggest shopping period. For the entertainment industry, the implications could be substantial. Actors could find additional endorsement opportunities, production houses could explore branded storytelling, and microdrama creators could potentially generate revenue beyond advertising and subscriptions. However, the success of this model will ultimately depend on whether viewers actually purchase products while watching their favourite stories. For now, the initiative represents an interesting experiment in combining storytelling, advertising and e-commerce.

One thing is certain: India's microdrama business is no longer just about getting audiences hooked on the next episode. The next big cliffhanger could make viewers click not just 'Watch Next', but also 'Buy Now'!

Also Read: Microdramas CRASH the OTT party! Short-drama apps occupy 6 of India’s Top 12 free entertainment apps; one BEATS Netflix and Prime Video

Bigg Boss 20: Qazi Touqeer recalls being labelled “arrogant” after turning down Ekta Kapoor’s TV offer in 2005: “Main chhota tha, 20 saal ka…”

Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer recently opened up about the opportunities he received in the early years of his career, including a television offer from producer Ekta Kapoor. During a conversation with Aamrapali Dubey, the singer recalled meeting Kapoor in 2005 and explained why he eventually turned down the opportunity.

Qazi, who shot to fame after winning Fame Gurukul with Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005, said, “TV maine kabhi kiya nahin. TV ki opportunity bahot badi badi thi. Main khushkismat tha jiske liye Ekta Kapoor ji aayi 2005 mein and she narrated the story.” Qazi Touqeer recalls Ekta Kapoor’s narration Qazi went on to recall his interaction with Ekta Kapoor, saying, “Main sirf unki anguthiyan (rings) dekh raha tha. Rockstar ka pura character Ekta ji mujhe narrate kar rahi hai.”

Rather than directly telling Kapoor that he did not want to take up the project, Qazi said he communicated his decision through a woman named Anupama. He explained that he already had a film commitment and a contract in place. “Ma’am, I am already doing a film. I have a contract, it’s already signed,” Qazi recalled telling her. Qazi says media reports portrayed him negatively The singer also remembered the media coverage that followed his decision. According to Qazi, reports the next morning suggested that he had deliberately turned down Kapoor’s offer because he had a bigger opportunity. “Main subah breakfast mein dekh raha hoon, ‘Qazi ditched Ekta Kapoor. Qazi has a bigger fish to fry.’ Ye paper aisa hi hai, media aisa hi hai,” he said.

Qazi pointed out that there was no social media at the time through which he could immediately clarify his side of the story. “Us time clarification karne ke liye thodi tha hamare paas social media. Ho gaya badnaam, ban gaya arrogant” he added. Qazi Touqeer’s journey from Fame Gurukul to Bigg Boss 20 Qazi became a household name after winning Fame Gurukul alongside Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005. The reality singing competition also earned him a cash prize, a music contract and a car.

He later explored acting, including an appearance in the song ‘Afghan Jalebi’ from Phantom, and participated in the reality show Sarkaar Ki Duniya. He subsequently spent years performing live and working on other projects before returning to the spotlight as a contestant on Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 20 in 2026.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 20: Prince Narula REACTS to Nakul Dhull-Gullu clash, praises Kanika Mann for calmly handling the situation

Imran Khan to challenge FRRO’s directive asking him to leave India by Oct 28; veteran Raza Murad slams him for taking part in protest

Actor Imran Khan, an American citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, is set to challenge the Foreigners Regional Registration Office’s (FRRO) directive asking him to leave India by October 28, as per a report by NDTV. His lawyer, Zulfiqar Memon, will file a petition before the Bombay High Court contesting the order.

The actor came under scrutiny following his participation in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai. The demonstration called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Following the protest, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Kirit Somaiya lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that Imran Khan’s participation in the demonstration violated the restrictions applicable to foreign citizens. The police subsequently forwarded the complaint to the FRRO, which issued a notice directing the actor to leave the country.

The FRRO’s position is that holding an OCI card does not permit a foreign national to participate in protests. The order has been issued under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Section 7 of the legislation empowers the Central Government to issue orders and directions regulating, restricting or prohibiting the entry, departure, presence or movement of foreign nationals in India.

Meanwhile, veteran actor Raza Murad has slammed Khan, asserting that foreign nationals should not interfere in India’s domestic affairs. He also defended the authorities’ handling of the matter, pointing out that the actor has been given time to respond to the order and can seek judicial intervention if he believes the decision is unjust.

“Whether it is Imran Khan or anyone else, no foreign national has any business interfering in the internal affairs of our country. I have only just learned that Imran Khan has become a U.S. national; he was an actor here. As a U.S. national, he has no right to participate so actively in the country’s internal affairs or its politics. The Mumbai Police are acting strictly within the legal framework,” Murad told the news agency ANI.

He further noted that the actor has been given 15 days and can approach the court if he believes he is being treated unfairly or is being compelled to leave the country.

“He has been given a full 15 days. If he feels he is being treated unfairly or being forced to leave the country, he is welcome to approach the court, and whatever the court decides, we must all accept it. Let’s see how he reacts. He has two options: either leave the country by October 28, or if he does not wish to leave, or feels that he has been wronged or treated unjustly, he can take his grievance to the court,” Murad added.

Imran Khan’s proposed legal challenge will now bring the dispute before the Bombay High Court, where the validity of the FRRO’s order can be contested.

Also Read: Imran Khan opens up on decade-long acting break; says, “My comeback film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum is age-appropriate to where I am now”

Kiss Ka Kissa: Vidhi Kasliwal announces romantic short film starring Priyanshu Painyuli and Vandana Josh

In a city where couples can stay connected over their phones all day but struggle to find a few uninterrupted minutes together, even a simple kiss can turn into an adventure. Exploring this idea is Kiss Ka Kissa, an upcoming romantic Hindi short film starring real-life couple Priyanshu Painyuli and Vandana Joshi. Landmarc Entertainment, led by filmmaker-producer Vidhi Kasliwal, has announced that the film will be released on October 22, 2026.

Set in Mumbai, Kiss Ka Kissa explores the romantic dreams people carry from their younger days and the little moments that sometimes remain unfulfilled. Combining humour, affection and everyday situations, the film looks at modern relationships and the ways romance can be found in seemingly ordinary experiences.

The pairing of Priyanshu Painyuli and Vandana Joshi, who are also a couple in real life, brings an element of familiarity to the story. Rather than relying on grand romantic gestures, the film focuses on the emotions that emerge from everyday interactions. At its core, it celebrates spontaneity in love and the small moments that bring two people closer.

For Vidhi Kasliwal, the project continues her interest in stories centred on human emotions. Her filmmaking journey includes working with Rajshri Productions alongside Sooraj R. Barjatya before making her writing and directorial debut with Isi Life Mein.

"What drew me to Kiss Ka Kissa was its simplicity. We often associate romance with grand gestures, but sometimes the smallest moments carry the deepest emotions. There is something wonderfully relatable about two people trying to find a little space for themselves in a city that never slows down. At Landmarc, we have always believed that stories don't need to be larger than life to touch lives. They simply need to feel real," says Vidhi Kasliwal.

Written and directed by Ashish Sharma, Kiss Ka Kissa marks his fiction debut following more than a decade of work in advertising films, music videos and branded storytelling. The film is presented by Landmarc Entertainment and produced under its Landmarc Films banner. Vidhi Kasliwal has handled the production and creative direction, while Aarti Bagdi serves as the creative producer.

Speaking about the film, Ashish Sharma shares, "I wanted to make Kiss Ka Kissa for two reasons: the little romantic dreams we carry from our younger days, and the joy of telling a simple, feel-good story. A first kiss, a stolen moment, a romantic adventure—sometimes life moves on, leaving these little dreams unfinished. Set against the chaos of Mumbai, the film explores how even the simplest romantic gesture can become an adventure when privacy is a luxury. I wanted the humour to emerge naturally from everyday situations. At its heart, the film celebrates love, youthful innocence and life's delightful unpredictability. I hope it leaves audiences smiling and perhaps remembering a little unfinished romantic story of their own."

Over the past 15 years, Landmarc has developed a filmography that includes Sanngto Aika, Vazandar, Ringan, Gachchi, Redu, Pipsi, Nashibvaan and Medium Spicy. As the company transitions into Landmarc Entertainment, it is expanding its operations through three initial verticals: Landmarc Films, Landmarc Melodies and Landmarc Digital. The company aims to explore new storytelling formats and support new voices while continuing to focus on emotionally driven narratives.

The film's creative team includes Vidhi Kasliwal as producer and creative visionary, Ashish Sharma as director, Aarti Bagdi as creative producer, Vikrant Thakur as director of photography and Puloma Pal as editor. Sarthak Karkare has composed the music, written the lyrics and created the background score. Prince Kumar of Casting Cubicle is responsible for casting, while K. R. Mahadevan [Mohan] serves as executive producer.

With its title reflecting the story's central idea, Kiss Ka Kissa looks beyond the kiss itself to explore the circumstances surrounding it. Against the pace of Mumbai, the film highlights how finding time for romance can be challenging, and how a single moment can become meaningful when two people make the most of it.

Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Akshay Oberoi on completing 15 years in the film industry: “I was paid Rs. 1.50 lakhs for my debut film Isi Life Mein”; speaks highly of Salman Khan, “He called us on Bigg Boss out of his love for Sooraj Barjatya; he had lot of ideas for marketing”

Vidya Balan to open Indian Film Festival of Perth as chief guest in January 2027

The inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth (IFFP) will be held from January 22 to 24, 2027, with actor Vidya Balan announced as the Chief Guest. She will officially open the first edition of the festival, which aims to introduce audiences in Western Australia to the diversity of Indian cinema.

The festival marks a new addition to the celebration of Indian films in Australia. It is being organised by the team behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and the Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS). With established platforms in Melbourne and Sydney, the Perth edition aims to expand the reach of Indian cinema, provide opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to connect, and strengthen cultural ties between India and Western Australia.

The announcement of the festival coincided with the visit of Western Australia's Premier, Hon Roger Cook MLA, to India. The initiative reflects the growing cultural and creative links between the two regions and aims to encourage further cultural exchange through cinema.

Vidya Balan, known for her work across a range of roles and narratives, has been associated with films that explore distinctive stories and women-led characters. Her participation as Chief Guest at the inaugural festival will mark the beginning of the event, which seeks to bring audiences together through Indian cinema across languages, cultures and regions.

Speaking about the announcement, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, Festival Director, said, “Bringing the Indian Film Festival to Perth is a very special milestone for us. Having built platforms for Indian cinema in Melbourne and Sydney, we are delighted to now bring this celebration to Western Australia and connect with a new community of audiences and film lovers. Cinema has a remarkable ability to bring people together, transcend borders and create a deeper understanding of one another. We are thrilled to welcome Vidya Balan as the Chief Guest for our inaugural edition, and we look forward to creating a festival that celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Indian storytelling while building meaningful cultural connections between India and Western Australia.”

Through its first edition, the Indian Film Festival of Perth aims to establish a platform for Indian cinema in Western Australia and bring together film enthusiasts, filmmakers and members of the creative community. The programme will showcase stories from across Indian languages, genres and perspectives, while providing opportunities for discussions, collaborations and cultural exchange.

The festival's launch adds another platform for Indian cinema in Australia, with the organisers looking to build connections between audiences and the film industry while highlighting the range of stories emerging from India.

Also Read : Ekta Kapoor confirms The Dirty Picture 2: “I’m planning it after 15 years”

BREAKING: Jailer 2 ends with the promise of third part; Hrithik Roshan's massy special appearance has a Chulbul Pandey connection (Spoilers ahead)

The much awaited film Jailer 2 finally released today and has opened on a great note. The first film was highly remembered not just for superstar Rajinikanth's massy performance, songs and elevation moments but also for its various special appearances. The same continues in Jailer 2 as well. However, there's one more exciting cameo this time, that too by none other than Hrithik Roshan. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

There were reports already floating pre-release that Hrithik will be seen in Jailer 2. The reports turned out to be true. Hrithik appears at a crucial juncture in the film and helps out Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, played by Rajinikanth. He plays a cool, suave character named Roddy. Roddy confesses that Tiger helped him out 20 years ago and hence, he's forever indebted to him. Hrithik also speaks Tamil and it makes for a great watch.

Interestingly, Hrithik Roshan tucks his sunglasses behind his shirt collar, instantly reminding one of Chulbul Pandey (Salman Khan) and his signature style in the Dabangg series.

And that's not all. Hrithik also wears his sunglasses in typical Rajinikanth style, right in front of the superstar himself. The moment is sure to send audiences into a frenzy in cinemas.

Jailer 3 loading soon

Jailer's first part ended in such a manner that it didn't give any indication that a sequel is in the offing. However, Jailer 2 clearly ends with the promise that Jailer 3 is definitely coming. The last scene of the film features Vijay Sethupathi, which again, will be lapped up by the masses.

Also Read: Jailer 2 Hindi release: Makers clarify Rajinikanth-starrer will hit theatres on October 15; say, “There has been no change”

BREAKING: Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's second film after Animal to be 3 hours+; gets PG-13 rating in USA

The grand Diwali release, Ramayana, is three weeks away from release, and the excitement is steadily building up with each passing day. It's going to have the biggest release for an Indian film ever globally and the makers have been steadily working towards it. In a significant development, the censor process in the United States of America has been completed.

The Motion Picture Association has passed Ramayana with a PG-13 rating. This rating is similar to U/A in India and means that some material maybe inappropriate for children below the age of 13.

As per the Motion Picture Association website, Ramayana was awarded the said rating due to 'sequences of strong violence and action, and some bloody images'.

The other major development is that Ramayana has been passed internationally with a runtime of more than 3 hours. As per the website of IMAX, the duration of the film is 3 hours and 15 minutes. However, as per trade sources, the English version of Ramayana is expected to be shorter, at around 2 hours and 45 minutes. A clearer picture on this front will emerge in a few days.

Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's immediate release after Animal (2023). Incidentally, it is also the second film of his career, after Animal, to have a duration of more than 3 hours.

Also Read: Ramayana: Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu as makers unveil new poster titled ‘The Wings of Dharma’