A Celebration of Stories, a Mission to Empower Writers
At Mugafi, we believe that great stories can come from anywhere, and from anyone.
Mugafi, which began as a small collective of storytellers and dreamers who believed the entertainment industry should welcome every fresh idea, not just the ones with studio backing. Today, we’re a creative-tech platform that pairs human storytelling instincts with cutting-edge tools, so writers can move from spark to screenplay without losing their voice along the way.
Contests are our open gates. They level the playing field, pull talent out of living rooms and college dorms, and give new voices the same spotlight seasoned writers enjoy. Each contest is designed around a single question: “How can we push participants one step closer to a professional writing career?”
And that’s the spirit behind India’s Biggest Writing Contest (IBWC) – Phase 2, where writers from all over the country took a shot at turning their ideas into industry-worthy scripts.
For IBWC Phase 2 we wanted to revive a timeless legend, Sheshnaag, the King of all Nagas, who upholds the universe, by challenging writers to weave him into contemporary plots. Mythology meets modernity: divine guardians texting in Bengaluru traffic jams, ancient curses creeping into boardrooms, cosmic wars fought over NFTs. The theme promised scale—and demanded craft.
Held earlier this year, the contest opened its doors to aspiring, emerging, and professional writers, giving each participant an equal opportunity to showcase their storytelling talent on a national platform.
From Ideas to Screen-Ready Concepts: What Every Writer Took Away
At Mugafi, India’s Biggest Writing Contest – Phase 2 wasn’t just about choosing winners. It was about helping every participant, whether they won or not—move one step forward in their writing journey.
That’s why every writer in the contest worked with VED – Mugafi’s AI-powered writing tool built specifically for screenwriters and storytellers.
VED isn’t just another writing app. It’s designed to function like a senior writer that’s always there to support you. Whether you’re writing a web series, novel, or feature film, VED helps you:
- Brainstorm and structure ideas
- Build stronger character arcs
- Tighten pacing and plot points
- Format your script to industry standards
Writers could map their story beat-by-beat, track changes, and export polished, pitch-ready drafts, exactly how professional writers work.
By providing 3 months of free access to VED during the contest, we ensured that every participant experienced not just writing, but learning how to shape their story for real-world production opportunities.
To further support every writer who participated, we hosted 2 free webinars offering expert mentorship, designed to help writers sharpen their craft, refine their submissions and think deep. Each participant also received a Certificate of Participation, recognising their creativity and commitment. Because at Mugafi, we believe in nurturing talent at every step.
For us, it wasn’t just about finding the next big story. It was about helping every writer take the next step in their storytelling journey.
Announcing the Top 5 Winners and Standout Writers
After multiple rounds of reading, review sessions, and intense jury discussions, we’re proud to announce the Top 5 Winners of IBWC Phase 2:
🥇 1st Place: Sumit Singh Dixit for their story ‘Raktaabh’
🥈 2nd Place: Sanyam Bagayatkar for their story ‘Nagendra Dharanidhar’
🥉 3rd Place: Cinetasticc for their story ‘Shesh Pathar’
🏅 4th Place: Reijul Sachdev for their story ‘The Mysterious Mr. Sheshadri Nag’
🏅 5th Place: Vaaideek Pattel for their story ‘Nagraj’
Each of these writers impressed our panel with their originality, narrative structure, and story potential for the screen.
One of our Top 5 writers, Vaaideek Pattel, called IBWC “my first real opportunity” and shared, “This platform gave me my break, and I’m truly grateful to Mugafi. Let’s work together to make our country a global brand in literature and entertainment.”
Sanyam Bagayatkar reflected on how he discovered the contest: “I watched an interview with Mugafi’s founder and found his vision genuine, that convinced me to participate. I never expected to make it to the top five; the talent pool in India is immense.”
Presenting the Next Top 5 Writers: Standout Entries
Talent didn’t just stop at the top 5. Some entries captured our attention with unique ideas, strong characters, and worlds waiting to be explored.
We’re proud to present the Next Top 5 Writers of India’s Biggest Writing Contest – Phase 2:
- Aditya Raj for their story ‘Agents of Paatal’
- Ankit Pandey for their story ‘AADISHESH’
- Bhannu Arora for their story ‘The Serpent’s Awakening’
- Pranav Thaker for their story ‘Serpent’s Shield: Chronicles of the Kali Yuga’
- Shivanshi for their story ‘Ripples of the Real’
Because at Mugafi, it’s not just about winning—it’s about recognizing every story that deserves to be heard.
Beyond the Contest: Real Industry Opportunities
At Mugafi, India’s Biggest Writing Contest isn’t just about announcing winners, it’s about unlocking real pathways for writers to grow, get recognized, and step into the entertainment industry.
It all begins with cash rewards, but it goes far beyond just that.
The top 5 winners of India’s Biggest Writing Contest (Phase 2) will receive prize amounts that truly reflect their storytelling excellence:
- Rs.1,50,000 for 1st place
- Rs.75,000 for 2nd
- Rs.50,000 for 3rd
- Rs.25,000 for 4th
- Rs.10,000 for 5th place
But beyond the prize money, every winning writer gets a chance to take their story further. Each of them receives personalized industry mentorship—one-on-one sessions with Mugafi’s story development experts to refine their script and get it ready for potential adaptations for the big screen.
These writers also gain exclusive access to Mugafi’s Writers Room, where professional writers work on projects for top OTT platforms and production houses. It’s a collaborative space where new voices meet seasoned creators.
Alongside these winners, the next 5 standout writers are also being recognized for their unique ideas and potential. Each of these writers will receive a cash prize of Rs.5,000, along with an exclusive one-on-one expert feedback session to help refine their story. They’ll also be awarded a Winning Certificate, celebrating their achievement as part of the contest’s standout entries.
To Everyone Who Participated
A heartfelt thank you to every writer who poured their heart, time, and imagination into their submission. Whether you won or not, every story counts.
And for those wondering… yes, there’s more to come!
Stay Tuned: Your Story Could Be Next
If you missed this edition of IBWC, don’t worry. More contests and opportunities are on the way.
Keep writing. Keep dreaming. Keep creating. Visit www.mugafi.com for updates on our next contest.