WinZO, Balaji join forces for India’s microdrama wave

MUMBAI: India’s digital screens just got a new heartbeat with WinZO and Balaji Telefilms teaming up to create the country’s first transmedia universe. The collaboration brings cinematic storytelling to microdramas, letting characters, games, and stories leap seamlessly across formats.

Within three months of launching its microdrama platform ZO TV, WinZO has already crossed 500 titles, making it one of the fastest-growing short-format content libraries globally. The move positions India firmly in the 26 billion dollar short-drama industry, one of the fastest-growing entertainment categories worldwide.

WinZO co-founder Paavan Nanda said, “We are building the world’s first transmedia platform from India, where games, stories, and digital experiences coexist. Microdramas are the next global frontier. Partnering with Balaji brings together top storytellers and cutting-edge technology to create stories that resonate in India and across the world.”

Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta Kapoor added, “Storytelling must evolve with the times. From television to digital and now microdramas, this collaboration allows us to connect deeply with audiences everywhere.” Balaji Telefilms CRO Nitin Burman said, “Audiences today want bite-sized content but still crave emotion, drama, and connection. This partnership makes storytelling more interactive and engaging than ever before.”

WinZO has already achieved over 100 million episodes viewed globally, leveraging its 250 million users, 75,000 content creators, and a legacy of publishing and distributing 100 games. By focusing on authentic characters, strong writing, and culturally rooted narratives, the platform is redefining India’s storytelling soul while laying the foundation for a global transmedia franchise.

The partnership also includes initiatives to nurture India’s next generation of creators through workshops, creator accelerators, and collaborations at marquee forums such as Waves Film Bazaar and the International Film Festival of India. Microdramas are not just a new format, but the first step in building a creative ecosystem where India tells its stories to the world, one two-minute episode at a time.