Mumbai’s emerging mobile entertainment startup, ReelSaga, has successfully raised $2.1 million (around INR 17.9 crore) in a seed funding round led by Picus Capital, with participation from notable investors such as ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, Nazara Technologies, 8i Ventures, Waveform Ventures, Warmup Ventures, Bombay54, Bharat Founders Fund, and others. This fresh capital will accelerate app development and the creation of high-quality, localized content aimed at mobile-first audiences across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Introducing India’s First Dedicated Microdrama Platform
Founded in 2024 by serial entrepreneurs Shubh Bansal, Shanu Vivek, and Ritesh Pandey, ReelSaga is pioneering a new entertainment format-microdramas. These are short episodic stories, typically lasting 1-2 minutes per episode, designed specifically for mobile users who prefer quick, emotionally engaging content over traditional long-form videos.
“More and more users are turning to short-form video for entertainment. It’s quick, emotionally resonant, and binge-worthy. Drama doesn’t need to be 40 minutes long to move you,” says Shubh Bansal, co-founder of ReelSaga. This innovative storytelling approach fits perfectly with the fast-paced lifestyle of today’s Indian viewers, offering bite-sized narratives that keep audiences hooked.
Founders’ Proven Track Record Fuels Growth
The founders bring with them rich entrepreneurial experience from their previous venture, Truebil, a used car marketplace that was acquired by Spinny. Their deep understanding of digital marketplaces and consumer behaviour equips them well to navigate the competitive mobile entertainment landscape and build a platform that resonates with India’s mobile-first generation.
Expansion Plans: Beyond India to Southeast Asia and Middle East
With the newly raised funds, ReelSaga aims to expand aggressively beyond India, targeting emerging markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The startup plans to create localized content that appeals to regional tastes, defining a fresh category of mobile-native entertainment that blends cultural relevance with innovative storytelling.
Navigating India’s Booming Yet Competitive Short-Video Market
India’s short-video ecosystem is booming, with an estimated 650 million active users projected by 2025 and advertising spends expected to grow by 30-35% this year alone. While platforms like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels dominate 85-90% of the short-video advertising market, startups like ReelSaga are carving out unique niches by focusing on episodic storytelling rather than general short clips.
Other Indian platforms such as Chingari, Roposo, Josh, and Moj are also innovating with alternative revenue streams including e-commerce integration, virtual gifting, and regional content to enhance user engagement and monetization.
Exploring New Revenue Models for Sustainable Success
Following industry trends, ReelSaga is exploring diverse monetization strategies beyond traditional advertising. Inspired by platforms like Roposo’s pivot to social commerce and Chingari’s launch of AstroLive-a spiritual tech platform with over 1 lakh paid users in three months-ReelSaga aims to integrate features like e-commerce, virtual gifting, and partnerships to boost revenue and user loyalty.
The Future of Mobile Entertainment: Quick, Engaging, and Localized
ReelSaga’s vision is to become a leader in mobile-native entertainment by delivering compelling, bite-sized stories that resonate with India’s rapidly growing mobile user base. With strong investor backing and a clear roadmap, the startup is well-positioned to transform how millions of Indians consume entertainment on their smartphones.