Anurag (Chai Bisket): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Anurag Reddy is the co-founder of Chai Bisket, a prominent digital content company based in Hyderabad, India, widely recognized for its influential role in Telugu digital media. Founded in 2015 alongside Sharath Chandra, Chai Bisket has grown to become a leading entertainment platform producing relatable, local-language content that resonates with millions of viewers, particularly the youth. Anurag's visionary leadership has driven the company’s expansion from simple YouTube sketches to larger ventures including film production, influencer management, and a pioneering microdrama OTT platform. This article delves into various facets of Anurag’s journey, Chai Bisket's impact on digital storytelling, key collaborators, and the company's innovative ventures shaping the media landscape.

1. Early Foundations and Educational Background

Anurag Reddy holds a PGDM in Marketing from SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) and a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from CVR College of Engineering. Early in his career, he interned at Bharti Airtel Limited, which provided valuable experience in business operations and marketing. Along with his partner Sharath Chandra, Anurag initially co-founded First Show in 2012, a digital marketing agency specializing in film promotions. Their background in both technology and marketing laid the groundwork for launching a digital content platform that would combine creativity with strategic growth.

2. Founding of Chai Bisket and its Rise

Chai Bisket was founded in 2015 as an extension of the founders’ passion for storytelling specifically tailored to the Telugu-speaking audience. What started as a digital platform focused on listicles, memes, and relatable video content rapidly expanded into producing original web series, short films, and full-length features. Through consistent output of authentic regional stories and humor, Chai Bisket amassed a significant viewership, exceeding over 2 billion video views and regularly attracting around 50 million monthly views across platforms.

3. Chai Bisket’s Content and Cultural Impact

The digital channel’s appeal lies in its rootedness in Telugu culture, delivering content that strikes an emotional chord with its core audience. The platform’s mix of comedy, drama, and social commentary has bridged generational and regional divides, making it a cultural staple in South India’s digital media ecosystem. It nurtures creativity by empowering local talent, focusing on stories that reflect everyday life, family bonds, and societal nuances. The content ranges from digital sketches and web series like popular titles to meme-based social commentaries.

4. Chai Shots: Innovating Microdrama OTT Platform

In 2025, Anurag along with his co-founder Sharath Chandra and tech lead Krishna Mohan Varma launched "Chai Shots," a mobile-first OTT platform offering microdramas—fictional stories told in 2-minute episodes. Targeted at Gen Z and viewers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the platform started with Telugu content and plans to expand into other regional languages such as Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. Backed by $5 million in seed funding from leading investors like InfoEdge Ventures and General Catalyst alongside prominent angel investors, Chai Shots sets itself apart by combining cinematic storytelling with the convenience of short-form video, creating a new wave in regional entertainment consumption.

5. Film Production Endeavors

Venturing beyond short-form content, Anurag and the Chai Bisket team have produced theatrical films through their production arms, Chai Bisket Films and A+S Movies. Noteworthy among their productions are "Major" (2022), a biopic of hero Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, "Writer Padmabhushan" (2023), and "Mem Famous" (2023), all of which emphasize strong storytelling, introduction of new talent, and cultural relevance to Telugu audiences. The films emphasize fresh voices and debutant actors, reinforcing the founders' commitment to evolving and enriching regional cinema.

6. Chai Bisket Actors Names and Talent Development

Chai Bisket is acclaimed for discovering, nurturing, and promoting a vast array of up-and-coming actors, writers, and directors primarily from the Telugu industry. Their digital and film projects have launched careers of notable names such as Suhas, Divya Sripada, Sumanth Prabhas (not to be confused with the star), and other young talents. The company’s ecosystem supports new creatives through its digital platform and production facilities, allowing fresh perspectives to thrive while maintaining quality storytelling.

7. Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Under Anurag’s stewardship, Chai Bisket has forged important alliances with major players in the media and entertainment sectors. These include partnerships with celebrated actors like Rana Daggubati, prominent startups such as Swiggy and RedBus founders, and technology firms. Strategic collaborations have bolstered investments, technological advancement, and outreach, ensuring the brand maintains a competitive advantage in the evolving digital and OTT markets.

8. Anurag Mali: Clarification on Name Confusion

It is important to distinguish Anurag Reddy (Chai Bisket co-founder) from Anurag Mali, a separate individual based in Hyderabad with a distinct career in cybersecurity, working with reputed firms such as PwC and Infosys. The two share similar names but have different professional trajectories and affiliations.

9. Work Culture and Vision

Anurag Reddy and Sharath Chandra have nurtured a startup-like, open, and creative work environment at Chai Bisket. They strongly emphasize collaboration, innovation, and youth-centric perspectives. Their vision includes blending high-quality storytelling with technological innovation to engage the regional digital market profoundly. They strive to reshape Indian regional entertainment by being emotionally authentic while adapting to new consumption habits shaped by mobile usage and shorter attention spans.

10. Future Prospects and Expansion

With the promising launch of Chai Shots and expanding production capabilities, Anurag and Chai Bisket plan to consolidate their leadership in regional digital entertainment and OTT spaces. Focus on multi-language content, scalable creator-driven models, and innovative formats like microdramas are central to their growth strategy. The company endeavors to reach a broader audience while keeping fidelity to regional roots and audience preferences, aiming to become a defining force in Indian digital content consumption.

Conclusion

Anurag Reddy’s journey with Chai Bisket exemplifies pioneering leadership at the crossroads of culture, technology, and storytelling in regional digital media. From humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse that redefines content consumption for millions, the company under his guidance continues to innovate and expand its horizons. As the digital landscape evolves, Anurag’s vision for localized, accessible, and emotionally driven storytelling positions Chai Bisket as a trailblazer and an inspiration for creators and audiences alike. What new storytelling frontiers will Chai Bisket explore next remains an exciting question for fans and industry watchers.