India’s digital entertainment space has a new disruptor with the launch of Rocket Reels, the country’s first vertical OTT platform designed exclusively for mobile-first viewing. Soft-launched on August 1st with 15 original series, the app has already garnered over 3.5 lakh downloads across Android and iOS devices in just a few weeks. The official launch on August 21st was celebrated in style with a glittering gala coinciding with the birthday of its founder, Kranti Shanbhag, adding a personal milestone to the industry breakthrough.
The grand launch also set the stage for the unveiling of Rocket Reels’ ambitious slate of vertical-format originals. The line-up spans multiple genres and boasts some of India’s biggest names in entertainment. Among the highlights are “Zamanat” featuring Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav and “Betrayal” starring Sunny Leone, both directed by veteran filmmaker Vikram Bhatt. Other originals include “Blackmail” with Mugdha Godse (directed by Shadab Khan), “Instant Insaaf” starring Rahul Dev (directed by Rayan Rajdhan), and “Jhukega Nahi Saala”, a reality series hosted by Suresh Menon (directed by Gyani Lall Sharma). Expanding further into diverse storytelling, titles like “Bawal Unlimited”, “Web Crime”, and “Scam Alert” round out a strong first slate helmed by directors including Ankush Bhatt and Vishal Verma.
With a strong early response, marquee talent on board, and the distinction of being India’s first platform dedicated to vertical content, Rocket Reels is positioning itself as a game-changer in the OTT ecosystem. By combining innovative storytelling with mobile-first accessibility, the platform is aiming to set new benchmarks for how India consumes digital entertainment.
Together, these originals signal Rocket Reels’ bold step into delivering premium, vertical-first entertainment tailored for today’s new-age audience.
What makes Rocket Reels stand apart is its vertical-first design, specifically built for a mobile-first, on-the-go generation. With stories spanning a range of genres from thrillers, romance, crime, and mystery to sci-fi, horror, and comedy, the platform offers content in quick, bite-sized episodes that are gripping, snackable, and emotionally immersive. The aim is not just to entertain but to redefine storytelling for today’s fast-paced digital lifestyle.
With availability in six Indian languages, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati, the platform ensures inclusivity for diverse audiences. Its reach extends far beyond Indian borders, being accessible in India, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and South Africa, thus serving both Indian and global viewers with equal finesse.
The evening also saw the presence of Divya Agarwal, Arti Singh, Kapil Javeri, Nikki, Rajiv Roda, Yogesh Lakhani, Rajat Rawail, Sharad Malhotra, Kishori Shahane, Nidhi Shah, Kriti Chaudhary, Navpreet Kaur, Kangana Sharma, Priyanka Sibal, Siddharth Sibal, Vikas Verma, Riva Arora, Dipak, Chauhan, Prashant Virendra Sharma, Sachin Shroff & Many More.
Kranti Shanbhag, Founder, Rocket Reels, said “Rocket Reels was born out of a vision to create entertainment that matches today’s lifestyle; fast, mobile-first, and globally accessible. We wanted to give audiences stories they can carry in their pocket, whether it’s an intense thriller, a heartwarming romance, or a high-energy reality show. Rocket Reels is more than just an OTT platform, it’s the next big step in how we consume stories”
Vikram Bhatt, Director & Creative Force, added “The vertical format is not just a change in screen orientation, it’s a complete shift in how stories are told. With Rocket Reels, we’re experimenting with immersive, fast-paced narratives that keep audiences hooked from the first frame. The upcoming shows, including ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Zamanat’, are designed to push the boundaries of short-form storytelling“
With its innovative vertical format, high-profile collaborations, and rapid early adoption, Rocket Reels is not just launching a new OTT app—it is reshaping the future of digital entertainment in India.
