The rapid growth of mobile-first entertainment is creating new opportunities for filmmakers across India, particularly in the emerging vertical drama segment. Among those contributing to this shift is ad filmmaker Raj Eshwar, who has completed 10 vertical micro-drama series during the first six months of 2026 while continuing his work as the founder of advertising agency 7 Screen Studios.
The achievement comes after years of experience in commercial filmmaking, where Raj has directed more than 100 advertisements for brands and businesses across different sectors. His recent projects reflect the increasing demand for short-form digital storytelling as audiences spend more time consuming content on smartphones.
Industry professionals say vertical dramas are becoming an important format because they combine the emotional appeal of television serials with the speed and accessibility of digital platforms. While the category is still developing in South India, creators have started investing in original stories designed specifically for portrait-format viewing.
Ten Independent Series Completed Within Six Months
Completing one digital drama series requires months of planning, casting, filming and post-production. Raj Eshwar and his team completed 10 independent vertical drama series during the first half of 2026, with each project featuring a separate storyline, cast and production schedule.
The productions introduced 10 different lead actors and actresses while also featuring several familiar television artists. Each project required dedicated writers, cinematographers, editors, assistant directors, costume designers, art directors and sound professionals.
Hundreds of technicians and performers worked across the productions, making the process one of the largest creative undertakings in Raj’s career.
Speaking about the milestone, Raj said every series demanded a fresh approach.
“Each project had its own challenges because every story was different. Managing multiple productions at the same time required careful planning, but completing all 10 series within six months has been one of the biggest achievements of my career,” he said.
Advertising Continued Alongside Digital Productions
Even while working on the drama series, Raj continued leading 7 Screen Studios, an advertising agency that focuses on commercial films, branded content and digital campaigns.
Since establishing the agency, he has directed more than 100 commercial advertisements for national brands, FMCG companies and businesses from different industries.
Commercial filmmaking remains one of the agency’s primary areas of work, with campaigns designed for television, digital platforms and social media.
Advertising professionals note that businesses increasingly rely on high-quality video campaigns to strengthen brand visibility, creating steady demand for agencies specialising in ad films.
A Journey Without Industry Connections
Raj Eshwar entered the film industry without a family background in cinema or formal education in filmmaking.
He completed his Master of Computer Applications (MCA) at SSN College before deciding to pursue his interest in visual storytelling. His first public exposure came through the television filmmaking competition Naalaya Iyakunar, where he gained practical experience in direction, screenplay writing and filmmaking.
Although his early short films received limited attention, the experience encouraged him to continue learning instead of leaving the industry.
Over time, he shifted towards advertising, where he developed practical experience by working with brands and businesses before expanding into larger creative projects.
‘Nagarum Nodiyil’ Changed the Direction of His Career
One of the defining moments in Raj’s journey came with his short film Nagarum Nodiyil.
The trailer crossed five lakh online views and received appreciation from filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, actor-director Prabhu Deva, director Ajay Gnanamuthu and Dream Warrior Pictures producer S.R. Prabhu.
The short film also received a special theatrical screening at Rohini Silver Screens before earning honours for Best Director and Best Actor at the SIMMA Awards.
The recognition helped Raj establish stronger visibility within the Tamil film industry and opened opportunities for commercial filmmaking and larger creative assignments.
Recognition Beyond Filmmaking
In December 2025, Raj expanded his work by launching the 7 Star Awards, an entertainment event celebrating achievements across Tamil cinema, television, digital media and the creator ecosystem.
The event attracted actors, filmmakers, television personalities and content creators while receiving media coverage across television, newspapers and digital platforms.
The successful organisation of the awards demonstrated Raj’s growing role beyond filmmaking, adding event management to his professional portfolio.
“Pookie Mechanic” Records Rapid Digital Growth
Among Raj Eshwar’s recent projects, Pookie Mechanic has gained significant attention after its release on Story TV. The vertical micro-drama is closing in on 10 million views, reflecting its strong performance among digital audiences. The series has also seen extensive circulation across social media platforms, where scenes and promotional content have reached a wide audience and generated consistent engagement. The growing popularity of the project further underlines the increasing demand for short-form mobile entertainment in South India.
Vertical Dramas Continue to Attract Attention
Vertical dramas remain one of the fastest-growing content formats for smartphone users. Unlike traditional television programmes, these series are designed specifically for portrait viewing, allowing audiences to watch episodes quickly while using mobile devices.
As the format continues to grow, more actors, technicians and production teams are showing interest in creating original vertical content.
According to people associated with the projects, Raj’s recent series have received encouraging responses from viewers, and the positive reception has also generated interest among established television artists looking to work in the format.
Future Projects in Development
Raj Eshwar continues to balance commercial advertising with digital entertainment projects. While his advertising agency remains focused on creating commercial films for brands, he is also developing new vertical drama stories aimed at mobile audiences.
From an MCA graduate with no film background to directing more than 100 commercial advertisements and completing 10 vertical drama series within six months, Raj’s career reflects the changing nature of India’s content industry, where advertising, digital entertainment and mobile-first storytelling are becoming increasingly connected.
With additional projects currently under development, Raj is expected to continue working across both advertising and digital entertainment as the vertical drama format gains wider acceptance in South India.
