Chai Shots: A New Microdrama OTT Platform by Chai Bisket

Chai Shots is a regional-first, mobile-only microdrama OTT platform launched by the Hyderabad-based company, Chai Bisket. They have successfully raised $5 million in a seed funding round led by InfoEdge Ventures and General Catalyst.

Investor Participation and Support

This funding round attracted a notable group of angel investors, including Rana Daggubati, co-founders of Swiggy Sri Harsha Majety and Nandan Reddy, redBus founder Phanindra Sama, along with several others including Darwinbox co-founder Rohit Chennamaneni and PhysicsWallah co-founders Alakh Pandey and Prateek. Notably, the co-founders of Rapido and Virgio, Amar Nagaram, also contributed.

Startup Superb originally reported this significant development last month.

Target Audience and Content Structure

Chai Shots focuses on delivering fiction content in two-minute episodes specifically aimed at Gen Z and tier II–III audiences. It emphasises premium storytelling that is emotionally engaging and available in multiple regional languages. The platform is designed primarily for viewing on personal mobile devices and plans to launch first in Telugu, with subsequent expansions planned for Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

Leadership and Original Content Strategy

The platform is guided by co-leaders Sharath Chandra, Anurag Reddy, and Krishna Mohan Varma, the latter joining as a co-founder to oversee the technology vision. Within the first six months, Chai Shots plans to release over 100 original shows. It positions itself as a content-meets-tech platform prioritising fictional narratives in a concise format, differentiating itself from user-generated short video platforms.

Competitive Landscape

Last month, another startup, Flick TV, secured $2.3 million in seed funding from Stellaris Venture Partners, with additional backing from Gemba Capital and Titan Capital. Chai Shots will encounter competition from Kuku FM’s Kuku TV, ShareChat’s QuickTV, as well as Reel Saga and Reelies.