Micro-dramas send actors vertically up
India's booming micro-drama industry is giving rise to a new category of performers calling themselves "vertical actors", as short-form storytelling platforms emerge as an alternative to television and streaming services.Actors, producers, and app founders told ET that emotionally charged performances, stronger roles, rapid audience recognition, and the ability to build dedicated fan bases are drawing talent to the format.Established vertical actors typically work on at least three series a month, earning Rs 1-3.5 lakh per project, giving financial security in addition to the recognition, according to producers. Industry executives expect the trend to create bona fide "vertical stars" whose fame is built largely through micro-dramas consumed on mobile phones in portrait mode.One of the key aspects that differentiates a vertical actor from performers in other storytelling formats is the pace, according to micro-drama directors and actors.โVertical actors are defined by their ability to work at a fast pace,โ said Samay Bhattacharya, a director who has helmed four micro-drama series. โThey have to understand characters quickly and deliver spontaneous performances under tight production schedules.โTypically, a micro-drama series comprising 50 episodesโeach less than two minutes longโis shot at a brisk pace in fewer than 10 days.โI compare acting across different forms of storytelling to driving,โ said actor Karanvir Bohra, a major draw in the Indian micro-drama space. โFilms are first gear, while television and web series are second and third gear. Then comes content creation in fourth gear. Finally, vertical acting or storytelling is the highest gear. It demands the best performance and impact in the shortest possible time.โVertical actors said the format has provided them with much-needed recognition despite spending decades in the industry.โThe use of close-ups, melodramatic performances, strong cliffhangers, diverse plots and relatively better roles than television in vertical content has brought significant recognition to actors like me,โ said actor Piyush Sahdev. โDespite working for more than 25 years across mediums, today I am easily recognised for my micro-drama series The Secret Khiladi.โโMicro-dramas are reviving the careers of many actors. The careers of actors such as Asmit Patel, Omkar Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor have been revitalised,โ said Vicky Bahri, producer and founder & CEO of KLIP, a micro-drama app. โIn the future, I foresee bona fide โvertical starsโ known for their micro-drama work, given the high viewership numbers.โVertical actors also view micro-dramas as a way to build an audience base for their work in longer storytelling formats.โMicro-drama content reaches pan-India audiences,โ said actor Rajniesh Duggal, known for his debut film 1920. โBy working as a vertical actor, I am building my own audience base. This very audience will come to watch my films in theatres. This is one of my chief motivations."