---
title: "Inside Dhandha: How a Former Journalist is Elevating the Micro-Drama Genre"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/aditya-devulapalli-dhandha-telugu-cybercrime-micro-drama-j4r42
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
published: 2026-08-05T08:58:27.000Z
modified: 2026-08-05T11:01:36.351Z
language: en-IN
---

# Inside Dhandha: How a Former Journalist is Elevating the Micro-Drama Genre

Director Aditya Devulapalli leverages high-end production and technical precision in Dhandha, a 29-episode thriller. The series explores cybercrime through an engineering student's descent into a digital fraud syndicate.

## Key takeaways

- Dhandha is a 29-episode Telugu thriller that applies cinematic production standards to the two-minute micro-drama format.
- Director Aditya Devulapalli used a cybercrime consultant to ensure the technical accuracy of the financial scams depicted in the series.
- The project was filmed in 10 days using AI-led previsualisation to triple the standard daily footage output.
- Talks are currently underway to expand the micro-drama into a full-scale feature film or web series following a cliffhanger finale.

## Background

The journey to the director’s chair for Aditya Devulapalli began with a departure from his academic roots. Despite being a top student, he abandoned his engineering studies after one year in 2018 to pursue photography and filmmaking. To bridge the gap between amateur work and the professional industry, he transitioned into film journalism, spending two years at The New Indian Express. This role allowed him to network with established industry figures, eventually leading to a creative producer role at the Chai Shots app in late 2025.

## Why It Matters

The micro-drama sector in India has frequently relied on repetitive tropes such as sudden wealth or domestic scandals, often coupled with low production values. Devulapalli observed a disconnect between these offerings and an audience quick to dismiss unengaging content. By securing a budget three to four times larger than the standard 10 to 12 lakh INR spent on such projects, the production sought to prove that the vertical, short-form format can sustain cinematic storytelling and technical rigor.

## Key Facts

- Format: The series consists of 29 episodes, each spanning just over two minutes, streaming on the Chai Shots platform.
- Production Efficiency: While the industry average is three to five minutes of footage per day, the Dhandha team captured 12-15 minutes daily, completing the shoot in 10 days.
- Technical Innovation: The crew utilized AI-driven previsualization and a specific color palette of green and copper to evoke the aesthetic of currency notes.
- Authenticity: A consultant with experience in cybercrime departments advised the writers on specific fraud methods, including call merging and scams involving fake law enforcement officials.
- Casting: Dora Sai Teja stars as the protagonist who evolves from a student to a high-ranking scammer, alongside Nithin Prasanna as a police officer and Akshara Nalla.

## What Happens Next

The first season of Dhandha concludes with a cliffhanger, securing the path for a potential second season. Due to the positive reception of the series and its high-quality execution, discussions are currently underway to adapt the narrative into a traditional web series or a feature-length film. Devulapalli continues to focus on shifting the perspective of the micro-drama format from disposable content to a legitimate medium for gritty, character-driven thrillers.

Source: The Hindu – Entertainment

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/aditya-devulapalli-dhandha-telugu-cybercrime-micro-drama-j4r42
Reported from: The Hindu – Entertainment