Flick TV raises $2.3 million to build India’s leading micro-drama streaming platform

As India’s mobile-first entertainment appetite continues to surge, Bengaluru-based Flick TV is betting that the future of streaming lies in five-minute drama episodes viewed vertically on smartphones.

The startup has raised $2.3 million in seed funding led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from Gemba Capital and Titan Capital, to build out its library of original micro-dramas and scale its mobile-native infrastructure.

Launched in early 2025 by Kushal Singhal and Pratik Anand, Flick TV offers short, professionally produced fiction episodes under five minutes, optimized for vertical video consumption. The startup is targeting India’s growing base of mobile-only internet users with snackable storytelling across genres like romance, thriller, and slice-of-life. The content is released in quick, serialised formats that mimic television dramas, but are designed for the streaming habits of short-attention-span viewers.

The fresh funds will be used to scale up content production, expand into four additional regional languages, and invest in improving the streaming experience on mobile devices. Flick TV is planning to release over 100 original titles. It also aims to build what it calls a “next-generation content engine” by integrating generative AI tools into its scripting, storyboarding, and production processes.

“Microdrama combines ‘snackable time’, where attention spans are reduced, with the power of storytelling,” said Singhal. “Human beings have always had the urge to know more, and we see this becoming a $5 billion market in India over the next five years.”

Flick TV’s monetisation model includes micropayments for per-episode viewing and an eventual shift to monthly and quarterly subscription plans as user engagement builds. The startup believes this hybrid approach will give it flexibility to attract early adopters while eventually locking in loyal subscribers.

India’s short-form video space has traditionally been dominated by user-generated platforms like Moj, Josh, and Instagram Reels. But startups like Flick TV are now trying to professionalise this format by introducing scripted, high-quality fiction content. The broader micro-drama category, while still in its infancy in India, has seen traction in markets like China, where vertical short dramas have become a $7 billion industry.

Mayank Jain, Principal at Stellaris Venture Partners, said, “India’s next entertainment wave will be mobile-native, emotionally engaging, and built for short attention spans. The Flick TV team brings together expertise in content creation and testing, along with a deep understanding of user acquisition and engagement—making them frontrunners to innovate and lead this emerging category. Their early traction and strong engagement metrics reflect their strengths in content curation and storytelling. We’re thrilled to partner with them as they build India’s leading micro-drama OTT platform.”