THE INDIA STORY
Lights, camera... microdrama! Big showmen hooked on new gig in town
India's microdrama industry is experiencing significant growth, attracting investments from major entertainment companies and creators. Aamir Khan Productions and Excel Entertainment are launching a microdrama venture to produce high-quality content. Partnerships with creators and telecom companies will enhance the platform's offerings as the market expands. Despite challenges in monetization and audience retention, viewership for microdramas continues to rise steadily.
Farmer's son from small Tamil Nadu village builds Rs 1.5-crore software business after quitting nine-year Chennai IT career & starting with just two laptops
Eswaran Arumugam launched his Tamil Nadu-based software venture, Yaa Creations, with just Rs 1 lakh borrowed from his brother and two laptops. The business faced several hurdles, including financial strain, disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and accumulated debt of Rs 5 lakh. However, he gradually turned things around and expanded operations. Today, the company, headquartered in Rasipuram in Namakkal district, employs 26 people, serves clients in seven countries and completed projects worth Rs 1.5 crore in 2025.
5 reasons why your product should be nominated for the ET Product of the Year Awards 2026
India's product landscape is rapidly transforming, driven by innovative solutions and upgraded offerings that cater to consumer demands. The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 aims to shine a spotlight on products that have significantly impacted the market, emphasizing their success, user adoption, and overall customer value. Businesses are invited to submit nominations for products that debuted or evolved during the designated period to celebrate their accomplishments.
BJP, RSS told 'lies' about Sonia Gandhi all her life; now she is telling the truth: Priyanka
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra responded to BJP's criticism of her mother Sonia Gandhi's memoir, calling the accusations false. She emphasized that for years, the BJP and RSS spread lies about her mother without accountability. Vadra mentioned that Sonia Gandhi has the right to share her story and perspective in her book. She expressed satisfaction that people are engaging with the memoir despite the backlash.
Chhath Puja Katha 2026: Why Is the Festival Celebrated? Know the Story of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya
From November 13 to November 16 in 2026, Chhath Puja will be joyfully celebrated in multiple states throughout India. This significant four-day festival honors the Sun God, Surya Dev, and Goddess Chhathi Maiya through heartfelt offerings and prayers. Participants will partake in essential rituals such as the Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, emphasizing family connections and communal unity in this cherished cultural celebration.
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Marvel's VisionQuest Episode 8 OTT release details: When and where to watch the series finale in India? Plot, cast and update on Season 2
Marvel's VisionQuest, starring Paul Bettany, has concluded its eight-episode first season. The finale follows White Vision's final battle and features a surprise post-credit scene involving Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff. All episodes are streaming on JioHotstar in India.

Ramayana builds a stronger domestic bridge amid global push
Ramayana: Part 1 has earned ₹403.9 crore in India and ₹260 crore overseas in its first six days, despite a much wider international release. Trade experts attribute its limited appeal in Western markets to cultural unfamiliarity, simplified storytelling and a lack of emotional depth, while competition from established franchises adds pressure.

Ramayana submitted for Oscars 2027: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash's film enters Academy race despite India's official entry. Here's how
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, has reportedly been submitted for consideration at the 2027 Oscars. The film can independently enter the Academy race despite Gondhal being India's official entry. It must meet the Academy's eligibility rules, including theatrical screening requirements. The film also features Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey.

Anbil Avan OTT release date: When and where to watch the Tamil romantic thriller starring Ashok Selvan and Preity Mukhundhan
Ashok Selvan and Preity Mukhundhan's romantic thriller Anbil Avan is set to make its digital debut around six weeks after its theatrical release. The film will be available in five languages. Directed by debutant R. Karthikeyan, the story follows a newly married couple whose dream of starting a new life in a hill station takes an unexpected turn after they encounter a series of mysterious challenges.

US national Van Dyke links NIA arrest to Russia-Ukraine war, vows to reveal 'shocking details'
Matthew Aaron Van Dyke was arrested in India along with six Ukrainians for allegedly entering without valid documents. They were granted permission to travel home after more than six months in custody. Van Dyke claimed their imprisonment was part of Russia's war against Ukraine and promised to reveal alarming details. The National Investigation Agency continues to investigate alleged offences linked to their activities.

Great damage done to India's fabric under Modi government, people now recognising it: Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi has expressed concerns over the damage inflicted on India's democracy and institutions in recent years. She emphasized that the Congress has never compromised with the BJP and RSS, and continues to fight for constitutional values. According to Gandhi, the party has faced severe challenges but remains resilient in the face of adversity. She mentioned her personal journey and motivations for entering public life.

From Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 crore: Three Pune brothers turn college kabada project into goldmine, sold 20 lakh kg scrap
Three Pune brothers have transformed a college project into a Rs 2.5 crore scrap collection business. Jayesh, Ganesh and Vaibhav Pakhale started ScrapDeal in Pune with an initial investment of just Rs 25,000. The startup has recycled 20 lakh kg of scrap, serves over 1 lakh individual customers and works with more than 100 businesses. The brothers are targeting Rs 5 crore in revenue in FY27.

India's water management initiatives a model for developing nations: World Bank official
India's water management efforts, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, are being recognized internationally for their effectiveness. The World Bank highlights India's initiatives, including river restoration and dam safety improvements. These programs aimed at increasing access to clean water are now models for other developing nations. The upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference will provide a platform for India to share these experiences.

ET Wealth Expo | Private credit is filling the funding gap as India's growth story gathers pace: Ashish Mehrotra
Speaking on the sidelines of ET Wealth Expo 2026, Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO of Northern Arc Capital, said India's strong economic growth, supported by robust credit expansion, is creating a favourable environment for the private credit market.

She booked a Rapido ride and found love: How a choreographer fell for an athlete who drove to fund his dreams
Ekta's first Rapido ride resulted in an unexpected romantic connection with Parth, her driver. They discovered mutual support for their professional ambitions during their relationship. Parth is an athlete who represented India, while Ekta works as a choreographer. As they faced challenges in their careers, they encouraged each other to achieve their respective goals. Their journey highlights how an ordinary bike ride can lead to meaningful connections in life.

Pune teacher sells father's land to teach 10 poor students, all clear MPSC exams; now he runs a Rs 20 crore campus in his village but still lives in a rented house
After selling his inherited house and farmland in 2005, Pune-based teacher Yajurvendra Mahajan started educating 10 underprivileged students. All cleared MPSC exams. His Deepsthamb Foundation now supports around 600 students, including persons with disabilities, orphans and transgender people, offering free education, accommodation, counselling and employment assistance.

Tenneco India explores diversifying beyond auto sector, eyes M&A
Tenneco Clean Air India is exploring acquisitions to diversify beyond the automotive sector, with potential targets in railways, aerospace and defence. CEO Arvind Chandra said the debt-free company has the cash to fund sizeable deals and is seeking businesses with strong technology, margins and an India growth opportunity.

Mumbai woman fell in love with Rapido driver. Years later, she worked with Ranveer Singh and he represented India at World Championship. How a simple bike ride changed their lives forever
Ekta Kaushlya, a talented choreographer, crossed paths with Parth Chamaria, a dedicated Rapido driver, during her inaugural ride in Mumbai. Their engaging chat unearthed Parth's fervent dreams of becoming an athlete, despite financial hurdles. After their ride, Ekta reached out, initiating a bond that would blend their personal and professional lives. Supported by one another, they navigated their demanding careers, with Parth even representing India at an international competition.

Robert Pattinson's Primetime on OTT: Where and how to watch the thriller inspired by To Catch a Predator
Chris Hansen, former host of To Catch a Predator, has criticised Primetime, the Robert Pattinson-led thriller inspired by investigations featured on his show. In a September 25 post on X, Hansen described the film as “bizarre” and “in and out of reality”, saying its portrayal felt detached from his actual experiences.

Suits & Sayings: Legacy Matters
ET’s roundup of the wackiest whispers in corporate corridors

Rs 4 lakh investment built an Rs 7848 crore empire. How a Mumbai man, who once earned Rs 150 a month, built a flourishing diagnostic laboratory chain
The entrepreneurial path of Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani shows how perseverance, vision, and ingenuity can help create a profitable business with little funding. He invested just Rs 4 lakh to start a small thyroid testing lab in 1996, with Rs 2 lakh coming from personal savings and another Rs 2 lakh taken out of his provident fund.

Rs 35 to Rs 111 crore: Udupi boy who washed utensils in Mumbai at 13, now owns 15 restaurants
From arriving in Mumbai with just Rs 35 at the age of 13 to building a restaurant business with Rs 111.45 crore in annual revenue, Narayan T Pujari's journey is remarkable. The Karnataka native once washed utensils and cleaned floors to survive. Today, his Shiv Sagar brand operates around 15 restaurants across India.

UPSC Success Stories: He cracked AIIMS at 16, cleared UPSC at 22, and left IAS at 24 to build a nearly ₹2,000 crore startup
At just 16, Roman Saini achieved a remarkable feat by clearing the AIIMS entrance examination, and later, he conquered the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Along with his co-founders, he launched Unacademy, a platform dedicated to democratizing education. What began as a YouTube channel has transformed into a valuable online learning hub, boasting a valuation of ₹1,700 crore to ₹1,897 crore following its acquisition by upGrad.

Ramayana movie release to be Ranbir Kapoor's daughter Raha's official film debut? Actor reveals 'she has given a shot with...'
Ranbir Kapoor has revealed that his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Raha has shot a scene with Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey for his new film Ramayana. The actor spoke about how Raha developed an interest in the epic through stories narrated by him and Alia Bhatt. His revelation comes as the film receives encouraging early reviews, with people calling it 'highly enjoyable' and praising its scale and storytelling.

EloElo eyes global expansion post $80 million fundraise, aims to build ‘Netflix of micro-drama’
EloElo Group, the parent company of Story TV, successfully raised $80 million in a Series C funding round. The funding round was led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, significantly increasing the company's valuation. EloElo aims to enhance its micro-drama platform and expand into international markets. The company reported substantial user growth and high production efficiency using AI technology.

Macallan’s India journey: Tapping a growing appetite for luxury, legacy, and craftsmanship
The Macallan is committed to strengthening its connection with consumers in India through meaningful experiences and storytelling. This strategy aims to highlight the brand's heritage and craftsmanship in a local context. As Indian consumers become more discerning, they increasingly value authenticity and quality in luxury spirits. The Macallan plans to deepen partnerships with stakeholders in the luxury market while establishing a locally anchored presence.

Dreambeans now in India: What to know about Google’s personalised AI visual stories app
Google has launched its innovative Dreambeans app in India, aimed at transforming personal moments into captivating visual stories. By utilizing data from services like Gmail and Photos, the app crafts unique narratives that resonate with users' experiences. Privacy is prioritized, allowing users to curate what they share and disconnect services anytime.
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