Step into the captivating world of 'In Between the Lines,' a micro-series that will transport you to a realm of nostalgia and lost love. Picture this: rows of books, their leather-bound covers emitting a delightful scent, a reminder of life's simpler pleasures.
Madan Kumar, the creative mind behind Flying Dose Films, has crafted this series with a unique twist. He aims to explore crisp stories, or 'gari gari kathegalu,' through a lighthearted and relatable lens.
"This format is already a hit in China and the US, and I wanted to bring it to our audience. There are a few Telugu and Hindi micro-series, but I wanted to experiment with this style," Madan shares.
Micro-dramas, as Madan calls them, are short vertical video series, no longer than two minutes. "This format caters to the scrolling generation, offering a quick yet engaging experience," he adds.
But here's where it gets challenging: how do you ensure your content stands out in a sea of millions of reels on social media?
"It's easier to push mediocre content than to deliver a meaningful message in under two minutes," Madan admits.
YouTube, he says, is a different beast altogether. "Gaining visibility on YouTube is tough. Instagram, with its community feel, makes discoverability and growth more accessible."
Abhiraj Dethe, the director of the series, agrees. "It's a tricky balance, but a good story will always hold its own. Even if someone starts from Episode 6 or 9, it should draw them back to the beginning."
The response to the series has been positive so far, Madan notes. "We alternate between English and Kannada to cater to a wider audience. Initially, some viewers felt there was too much English, but given the metropolitan setting, it was necessary."
And this is the part most people miss: Madan's micro-series is not just about promoting books; it's about promoting the art of reading.
"I wanted to showcase the beauty of bookstores and the community they foster. Reading is not just about buying books; it's about engaging with the stories and the people who love them," Madan explains.
Abhiraj adds, "We wanted to rekindle the feeling of connecting with words, not just profiles."
'In Between the Lines' follows Dhruva (Aashith) and Tara (Teju Belawadi), whose paths cross in the charming Bookworm bookstore on Bengaluru's Church Street.
"We blended the emotions of a web series with the structure of an ad to create a breezy, relatable story," Madan says.
Dhruva, a 25-year-old who has never read a book, represents the younger generation. Tara, an avid reader, acts as a bridge between the old and the new.
Aashith, an Instagram reel veteran, finds it intriguing to see a character's entire arc in this format. "The reach of this content is immense, and the fact that we're making our audience wait is exciting."
Teju, who has graced the screens in films like 'Gantumoote' and 'Laughing Buddha,' and the epic play 'Parva,' says shooting for this format was both exciting and demanding. "Being needed for every second of the shoot is a dream for any actor."
Krishna, the proprietor of Bookworm, noticed a new set of customers after the series aired. "Some even asked about the plot, which was heartwarming."
Madan plans to continue exploring complex relationships and stories through this format. "It's like a trailer, a glimpse into a larger world. I'd love to adapt Poornachandra Tejaswi's 'Parisarada Kathe' or RK Narayan's 'Malgudi Days' into micro-dramas. A book captures an author's original thought, and a micro-drama is an evolution of that idea."
The entire 22-episode series of 'In Between the Lines' is available on Flying Dose's Instagram page, with six more episodes set to release over the next couple of weeks.
So, what do you think? Can micro-series like these revive the art of reading and storytelling? Let's discuss in the comments!
