Raj's latest work reflects a wider shift in digital entertainment, where creators are exploring new storytelling formats that suit changing viewing habits while creating opportunities for actors, writers and technicians.
Mobile-First Storytelling Finds New Momentum
Vertical dramas differ from traditional television serials and films because they are filmed in portrait format and created primarily for mobile devices. Episodes are shorter and structured to hold viewers' attention in a limited amount of time.
While the format has already gained popularity in several international markets, it remains relatively new in South India. Raj Eshwar recognised the potential of this style of storytelling early and began developing projects focused on digital-first audiences.
Within six months, he completed 10 separate micro-drama series featuring different stories, different lead actors and independent production schedules.
Industry professionals say completing this number of projects within such a short period requires planning, coordination and the ability to manage multiple creative teams at the same time.
Ten Stories, Hundreds of Artists
Each drama series featured a different hero and heroine along with several familiar faces from Tamil television.
The productions involved directors of photography, editors, writers, assistant directors, art directors, costume teams, music professionals and post-production specialists. Hundreds of artists and technicians contributed across the projects, making the work comparable to managing several independent film productions simultaneously.
Speaking about the experience, Raj Eshwar said every project presented a unique challenge.
"Every series demanded its own planning, cast, locations and creative approach. Completing all 10 projects within six months was challenging, but it also became one of the most satisfying experiences of my career because of the audience response," he said.
Career Built Without a Film Background
Unlike many filmmakers who enter the industry through family connections, Raj Eshwar began his career without any background in cinema.
He completed his Master of Computer Applications (MCA) at SSN College before deciding to pursue filmmaking. His first public exposure came in 2014 through the television filmmaking competition Naalaya Iyakunar, where he gained practical experience in direction and storytelling.
Although his initial short films did not achieve commercial success, the experience helped him understand the filmmaking process and encouraged him to continue working in the field.
Those early years became the foundation for his later career in advertising and digital content.
Building an Ad Film Agency
After entering the advertising sector, Raj established 7 Screen Studios, an advertising agency focused on commercial filmmaking, branded content and digital campaigns.
Building an agency without an established client network required years of steady work. Through consistent delivery and long-term relationships with brands, the agency expanded its presence across different sectors.
Over the years, Raj directed advertising campaigns for national brands, FMCG companies and businesses from multiple industries.
Today, his portfolio includes more than 100 commercial advertisements, making him one of the active independent ad filmmakers working in South India.
Short Film Recognition Opened New Opportunities
An important stage in Raj's career came with the release of his short film Nagarum Nodiyil.
The trailer crossed five lakh views online and attracted appreciation from filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, actor-director Prabhu Deva, director Ajay Gnanamuthu and producer S.R. Prabhu of Dream Warrior Pictures.
The film also received a special screening at Rohini Silver Screens and later earned recognition at the SIMMA Awards with honours for Best Director and Best Actor.
The recognition expanded Raj's visibility within the Tamil film industry and strengthened his transition into larger commercial projects.
Strong Audience Response for "Pookie Mechanic"
Raj Eshwar's latest vertical drama Pookie Mechanic has emerged as one of the notable performers on Story TV. With the series approaching 10 million views, it has become one of the platform's successful releases in the vertical content category. The project has also generated wide engagement across social media, where promotional videos and short clips continue to attract viewers. The response signals increasing audience interest in vertical dramas while reinforcing Raj's position among filmmakers working in the fast-growing digital entertainment segment.
Entertainment Event Added Another Dimension
In December 2025, Raj launched the 7 Star Awards, an entertainment event created to honour achievements across Tamil cinema, television, digital media and the creator ecosystem.
The event brought together actors, filmmakers, television personalities and influencers while receiving coverage across television, digital news platforms and print media.
The successful organisation of the awards ceremony demonstrated Raj's ability to manage large-scale industry events in addition to filmmaking.
Digital Content Continues to Evolve
The rise of smartphones and changing viewing habits continue to reshape India's entertainment industry. Short-form content, vertical videos and mobile-first storytelling have become important areas of growth for creators and production teams.
Raj Eshwar's recent work reflects this transition. By focusing on vertical dramas while continuing commercial advertising, he has positioned himself across two expanding segments of the content industry.
Audience response to the recently released series has also encouraged more television actors to consider projects in the vertical drama format.
Looking Forward
From an MCA graduate with no formal cinema background to an ad filmmaker with more than 100 commercial advertisements, Raj Eshwar has steadily expanded his work across advertising, filmmaking and digital entertainment.
His latest achievement of completing 10 vertical drama series within six months marks another chapter in that journey. With additional projects now in development, Raj is expected to continue exploring mobile-first storytelling while growing the reach of his advertising agency and commercial filmmaking work across South India.
