Moj launches Rs 20-crore micro drama accelerator to back India’s next storytellers

micro drama

Moj is making a big play in India’s fast-growing micro drama space.

The homegrown short-video platform from ShareChat has launched the Micro Drama Challenge, an accelerator programme aimed at discovering and nurturing the next wave of micro-drama creators and studios in the country. The company has earmarked over Rs 20 crore annually for the initiative to build out what it calls a new ecosystem for short-form, vertical storytelling.

The programme is designed to scout, fund and groom upcoming storytellers creating episodic micro dramas -- bite-sized series built for mobile-first audiences. Moj will shortlist 10 applicants by January 31, 2026, from entries open till January 26. Each selected team will receive a Rs 10 lakh grant to produce a micro-drama series.

Creators will have full creative freedom, within the format’s broad rules: each series must run at least an hour in total, with episodes of 1–2 minutes. Moj will also support participants with audience insights powered by its recommendation systems, helping creators tailor stories for higher engagement.

From February to March 31, these participants will compete in a monthly, high-stakes challenge, publishing their work on Moj and testing it with the platform’s 60 million micro-drama viewer base. Genres can range from action and romance to culturally rooted narratives.

At the end of the competition, the top three teams will win cash prizes—Rs 25 lakh for first place, Rs 15 lakh for second and Rs 5 lakh for third. Winners will also be considered for future Moj Originals, giving them a pathway to scale.

“This recurring accelerator acts as a launchpad for new storytellers,” said Manohar Singh Charan, co-founder and CFO of ShareChat and Moj. “We’re building an enabler ladder where independent studios and creators can thrive alongside industry giants. It ensures a steady stream of diverse, culturally rooted stories from across India.”

Charan added that Moj’s recommendation systems will help match each story with the right audience, moving towards a future where every user can access content tailored to their tastes.

For creators, the initiative offers funding, mentorship and access to a large audience. For users, it promises a steady pipeline of binge-worthy, mobile-native dramas—underscoring Moj’s ambition to shape the next chapter of India’s short-form entertainment economy.