Kranti Shanbhag Launches OTT App Rocket Reels with Vikram Bhatt, Sunny Leone

Rocket Reels, India’s first vertical OTT platform, has officially taken flight, marking a new chapter in the world of digital entertainment. The platform was soft-launched on 1st August with 15 original series, and within just weeks, it has clocked an impressive 3.5 lakh plus downloads across Android and iOS. The official launch of Rocket Reels on 21st August will be followed by a celebratory gala, marking the birthday of its visionary founder, 'showman' Mr. Kranti Shanbhag, further amplifying the milestone occasion. 

The grand, dazzling launch also witnessed the unveiling of Rocket Reels’ highly anticipated original slate of vertical OTT projects. Curated to span diverse genres and bring powerful performances to the screen, the line-up includes:

• Zamaanat – featuring Bhojpuri superstar-actor-singer Khesari Lal Yadav, directed by Vikram Bhatt
• Betrayal – featuring Sunny Leone, directed by Vikram Bhatt
  
• Blackmail – starring Mugdha Godse, directed by Shadab Khan
  
• Instant Insaaf – starring Rahul Dev, directed by Rayan Rajdhan
  
• Jhukega Nahi Saala – a reality show hosted by versatile actor-comedian-RJ Suresh Menon, directed by Gyani Lall Sharma
  
• Bawal Unlimited – starring Rahul Bagga, Vivek Shukla, and Anhaita Dhondy, directed by Vishal Verma
  
• Web Crime – starring Rishabh Chaddha, directed by Ankush Bhatt
  
• Scam Alert – directed by Ankush Bhatt

Together, these originals signal Rocket Reels’ bold step into delivering a premium variety of crisp, engaging, original 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, entertaining, and emotionally immersive. The aim is not just to entertain but to redefine storytelling for today’s fast-paced digital lifestyle. without resorting to any obscene vulgarity, in complying with the I & B Ministry's recent stringent OTT self-censorship guidelines.. 

 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 NRI global viewers with equal finesse.

 The well-organised glam-glitter star-studded trendy-fashion-fever evening at The Club ( Mumbai) was followed later by a live music band, and dignified dancing also saw the glittering presence of glam-guests! Which included superstar Khesari Lal Yadav,( of Bigg Boss 13 fame)  versatile actor-comedian-anchor-show-host Suresh Menon, business baron, Kalapi Nagada ( founder of 'Cinekorn'), Kishori Shahane-Vij ( 'Anhonee'), Divya Agarwal, Aarti Singh, Urvashi Pardei ( 'Junoon'), film-actress Apoorva Arora ( Ilaaka), Purvi Mundada ( 'Yakeen')  Kapil Javeri, smart actor Meherzan Mazda ( 'Jignes Ki Shaadi)'),  Nikki, Rajiv Roda, 'Bright Outdoor Adtvg 'top-boss Yogesh Lakhani, international designer-model Shweta Dhillon,  Anushka Sarkate, Rajat Rawail, Sharad Malhotra, Nidhi Shah, Kirti Choudhary, Navpreet Kaur, Kangana Sharma, Priyanka Sibal, Siddharth Sibal, Vikas Verma, Riva Arora, Dipak, Chauhan, Prashant Virendra Sharma, Sachin Shroff & many more.

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 ‘Zamaanat’, are designed to push the boundaries of short-form storytelling."_

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.”_

FAQs

1. What is Rocket Reels?
   Rocket Reels is India’s first vertical-format OTT platform, designed for mobile-first storytelling with bite-sized, immersive content.

2. Who founded Rocket Reels?
   The platform was founded by Kranti Shanbhag, a visionary producer aiming to revolutionize how stories are consumed on mobile devices. 

3. What makes vertical OTT platforms unique?
   Unlike traditional horizontal video, vertical OTT apps like Rocket Reels are optimized for smartphone use, offering quick, swipe-friendly storytelling tailored for an on-the-go generation.

4. In which languages is Rocket Reels available?
   Rocket Reels offers content in six Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati—to reach a diverse audience. 

5. What types of content can users expect on Rocket Reels?
   The platform offers a wide range of genres—from thrillers, romance, sci-fi, and horror, to reality shows and musicals—all in compact episode formats.

6. When did Rocket Reels officially launch?
   Rocket Reels had a soft launch on August 1, 2025 and held its official launch event during a gala on August 21, coinciding with Kranti Shanbhag's birthday.

7. How many downloads did Rocket Reels get after launch?
   Within weeks of its launch, the app surpassed 3.5 lakh downloads on both Android and iOS platforms.

8. What are some of the original shows on Rocket Reels?
   The launch slate includes:

   • Zamanat starring Khesari Lal Yadav, directed by Vikram Bhatt

   • Betrayal starring Sunny Leone, directed by Vikram Bhatt

   • Blackmail starring Mugdha Godse, among others

9. What did Vikram Bhatt say about the vertical format?
   Vikram Bhatt emphasized that vertical storytelling is not just a screen orientation change but a shift in narrative structure—creating immersive, fast-paced content that hooks viewers instantly.

10. Where is Rocket Reels available globally?
    Rocket Reels is accessible across major markets—including India, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and South Africa—making it a globally reachable platform for vertical content.

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