In the rapidly evolving world of entertainment, one thing remains constant – great stories drive everything.
At Mugafi, we’ve always believed that the best stories don’t come from boardrooms or studios. They come from lived experiences, from quiet observations, from bold imaginations that refuse to follow the crowd. The Great Indian OTT Writing Challenge was our attempt to create a space where such stories could rise, be celebrated, and find a path to production.
All About The Great Indian OTT Writing Challenge
The Great Indian OTT Writing Challenge wasn’t just another contest. It was a call to writers across India to step up and share stories that dig deeper, whether rooted in realism, layered in drama, or inspired by true events.
We chose four powerful themes – Slice of Life, Based on True Events, Procedural Drama, and Land Mafia & Underworld because we wanted to spark honest, nuanced storytelling that reflects the pulse of today’s world.
From everyday resilience to systemic power struggles, from deeply personal journeys to gripping thrillers, the entries we received showed us the incredible range and raw talent out there.
And that’s the heart of it.
Why this challenge?
The Great Indian OTT Writing Challenge was built to:
- Champion untold stories that resonate with audiences.
- Encourage writers to explore real-world themes with depth and originality.
- Help powerful stories travel from notebooks and laptops to real screens – giving them a chance to reach OTT platforms and wider audiences.
This challenge wasn’t just about winning – it was about helping every writer move closer to a professional-ready script.
All participants received 3 months of free access to VED, Mugafi’s advanced screenwriting studio, designed to guide writers through the real-world process of story development. With structured templates, AI-powered feedback, and features to build strong plots and characters, VED enabled both first-time and experienced writers to refine their craft.
Alongside the tool, we shared clear theme guidelines, writing resources, and continuous support because growth in storytelling comes from consistent writing, learning, and evolving.
Celebrating the Winners
We’ve seen great stories emerge from this challenge – stories that made us pause, think, and feel. And today, we’re proud to celebrate the writers whose work stood out in each category.
Slice of Life
🏆 Winner: Bachat Bank by Bhaswar Mukherjee
🥈 Runner-up: घूंघट by Ram K Singh
Based on True Events
🏆 Winner: Tryst with Destiny by Ritu Goel
🥈 Runner-up: BHAGWAN by Sikky Sharma
Procedural Drama
🏆 Winner: Baby Factory by Vikrant Yadav
🥈 Runner-up: Kalinga Narthana by Sai Sandeep
Land Mafia & Underworld
🏆 Winner: Dropouts by Om Zade
🥈 Runner-up: PSYCHEDELIC by Indulekha Murali
These winning stories rose to the top for their originality, emotional depth, and potential. But this contest wasn’t just about winners, it was about giving a stage to bold ideas, undiscovered voices, and stories that deserve to be heard.
Let’s hear from our winners.
“VED helped me present my story in a more polished and professional way. I’m so glad I took the plunge — and even happier that my story got selected. To all the writers who are waiting or unsure, I just want to say: go for it, like I did. Thank you, Team Mugafi!”
– Ritu Goel, Winner (Based on True Events Theme)
“Using Mugafi’s screenwriting software made the writing process so smooth — it was incredibly easy to use. Winning this contest feels surreal and completely unexpected. I’m truly excited for more contests and opportunities ahead!”
– Om Zade, Winner (Land Mafia & Underworld Theme)
What will Winners Receive
🏆 Best Story Award – Winner (1 per category)
- Rs.10,000 cash prize
- Story will be pitched to leading OTT platforms for potential development*
- Up to 3 1-on-1 review sessions with Mugafi’s Creative Team housing industry writers to help refine the script
- Recognition across platforms (Mugafi’s website, Social Media and more)
- Winner’s Certificate
- Future Collaboration opportunities
What will Runner-ups Receive
🥈 Rising Voice Award – Runner-up (1 per category)
- Story will be pitched to leading OTT platforms for potential development*
- Up to 3 review sessions to help refine the script for industry readiness
- Recognition across platforms (Mugafi’s website, Social Media and more)
- Participation Certificate
- Future Collaboration opportunities
This is just the beginning. Our mission remains the same: to find powerful stories and help writers shape them for the screen.
For All Participants
Every participant will receive a Certificate of Participation because taking the first step matters.
This contest was not just about winning, but about stepping into a world of larger opportunities and greater stories. And every one of you took that step.
We keep encouraging our participants to not stop and keep writing. We are always excited to read and review stories of our writer’s community and give them a platform to bring their stories to life.
Join the Mugafi Writing Community!
If you haven’t yet joined, you can still be part of our vibrant writing community!
- Connect with fellow writers & industry professionals
- Stay updated on future contests & mentorship sessions
- Access exclusive writing opportunities
- Get expert feedback – Send your stories for review & receive insights from experienced mentors
Stay with us. Your story could be next.
Join the Mugafi Writing Community Today!
A huge THANK YOU to every writer who participated and made this challenge! We can’t wait to see where your stories take you next.
*All stories must meet required format and quality standards before being pitched. The review sessions will support the shortlisted writers in reaching that level.