Micro-Drama Boom Hides Writer Exploitation: Low Pay, Tight Deadlines Revealed
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Storyboard•16-01-2026, 08:43
Micro-Drama Boom Hides Writer Exploitation: Low Pay, Tight Deadlines Revealed
- •Indian micro-drama writers face widespread exploitation despite the industry's boom, with low pay and punishing deadlines.
- •A survey by Sulagna Chatterjee reveals 90% of writers earn under Rs 75,000 per project, with many experienced professionals forced into the market.
- •Writers often receive less than two weeks to deliver scripts, face unlimited revisions, and lack written contracts, with delayed or partial payments common.
- •Producers like Nilakshi Sengupta highlight unsustainable economics, where feature-film length content is expected on budgets of Rs 5-10 lakh.
- •Industry experts note a significant drop in writer fees due to intense competition, with platforms prioritizing numbers over quality and fair compensation.
Why It Matters: The booming micro-drama industry in India is built on the exploitation of writers, with unsustainable practices.
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