Ad filmmaker Raj Eshwar has built a strong reputation in South India’s advertising and digital entertainment industry after entering the field without a film background. Over the years, he has directed more than 100 commercial advertisements and recently completed 10 vertical micro-drama series within the first six months of 2026. His journey reflects how persistence, practical learning and changing audience preferences have helped shape a career that spans advertising, filmmaking and digital content.
From MCA Graduate to the World of Cinema
Raj Eshwar did not begin his career with formal training in filmmaking. He completed his Master of Computer Applications (MCA) at SSN College, Chennai, an institution known for producing graduates who have later entered the Tamil film industry. While his academic education focused on technology, his growing interest in storytelling led him toward cinema.
Unlike many filmmakers who enter the industry through family connections or film schools, Raj started with neither. He had to learn every aspect of filmmaking through experience while building his own path.
His first major opportunity came in 2014 when he participated in the television filmmaking competition Naalaya Iyakunar. Although his early short films did not receive the recognition he had expected, the experience gave him valuable exposure to screenplay writing, direction, editing and visual storytelling.
Instead of stepping away from filmmaking, Raj continued learning and gradually shifted his focus toward advertising, where he found opportunities to develop both creative and business skills.
Building an Advertising Agency from Scratch
As digital advertising expanded across India, Raj founded 7 Screen Studios, an advertising agency specialising in ad films, branded content and commercial campaigns.
Launching an agency without an industry network was not easy. Winning clients, assembling creative teams and competing with established agencies required patience and consistent effort. Raj continued working on commercial assignments while strengthening his understanding of advertising, production planning and brand communication.
Over time, 7 Screen Studios earned opportunities to create advertising campaigns for national brands, FMCG companies and businesses across different industries.
Today, Raj Eshwar has directed more than 100 commercial advertisements, making 7 Screen Studios a recognised ad film agency serving brands through commercial filmmaking and branded storytelling.
Industry experts note that businesses increasingly rely on professionally produced advertising films to reach digital audiences, creating greater demand for agencies with experience in visual storytelling.
‘Nagarum Nodiyil’ Marked a Turning Point
A significant milestone in Raj Eshwar’s filmmaking journey came with his short film Nagarum Nodiyil.
The trailer generated widespread attention online and crossed five lakh views after a large promotional campaign. The film also received appreciation from several respected personalities in the Tamil film industry, including filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, actor and director Prabhu Deva, director Ajay Gnanamuthu and Dream Warrior Pictures producer S.R. Prabhu.
The short film later received a special theatrical screening at Rohini Silver Screens, an uncommon achievement for an independent project.
Nagarum Nodiyil also earned recognition at the SIMMA Awards, where it received honours in the Best Director and Best Actor categories. The recognition strengthened Raj’s confidence and introduced his work to a wider audience within the industry.
“Pookie Mechanic” Nears 10 Million Views
Another recent milestone in Raj Eshwar’s career is the success of his vertical micro-drama series Pookie Mechanic on Story TV. The series is nearing the 10 million-view mark, making it one of the platform’s most-watched vertical dramas. Beyond Story TV, clips and promotional content from the series have also gained significant traction across social media, attracting strong audience engagement. The response highlights the growing popularity of vertical storytelling and reflects Raj Eshwar’s expanding presence in the mobile-first entertainment space.
Launching the 7 Star Awards
Raj expanded his professional journey beyond filmmaking in December 2025 by launching the 7 Star Awards, an event created to recognise talent from the Tamil film industry, television, digital media and the creator community.
The ceremony brought together actors, directors, television personalities, digital creators and industry professionals. The event also received coverage across television channels, online media platforms and newspapers.
The successful execution of the awards ceremony highlighted Raj’s ability to organise large entertainment events alongside managing creative projects.
Vertical Micro-Dramas Gain Momentum
The latest chapter in Raj Eshwar’s career centres on vertical micro-dramas, a format designed specifically for smartphone users.
Unlike traditional television serials or feature films, vertical dramas are filmed in portrait format and are built around short episodes that audiences can watch quickly on mobile devices. The format has grown rapidly in several international markets and is now finding its place in India as mobile-first entertainment continues to expand.
Recognising the potential of this storytelling style at an early stage, Raj began investing in the format and completed 10 different vertical micro-drama series during the first six months of 2026.
The achievement has drawn attention within South India’s entertainment industry, where vertical storytelling remains an emerging category.
Managing Ten Independent Projects in Six Months
Each of the 10 drama series featured a different lead actor and actress while also bringing together several popular television artists.
Every project required its own screenplay, cast, shooting schedule, cinematography, editing, art direction, music and post-production work. Hundreds of actors, technicians and creative professionals contributed across the productions.
Managing multiple projects simultaneously required detailed planning and coordination, with each series operating as an independent production.
Reflecting on the achievement, Raj Eshwar said the experience felt similar to completing several feature films within a short period.
“Every project had a different story, cast and production challenge. Completing all 10 projects within six months gave me the satisfaction of finishing 10 movies. It was demanding, but the audience’s response made the entire journey worthwhile,” he said.
Growing Interest from Artists and Viewers
The vertical drama series received encouraging responses from audiences across digital platforms. The positive reception has also generated interest among established television actors who are now exploring opportunities within the fast-growing micro-drama format.
Industry observers believe changing viewing habits, increasing smartphone usage and the demand for short-form entertainment are creating new opportunities for creators who can deliver engaging stories in compact formats.
As more viewers consume entertainment through mobile devices, vertical storytelling is expected to become an important part of India’s digital content ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
Raj Eshwar’s journey reflects a steady rise built on persistence rather than traditional industry advantages. From an MCA graduate with no family background in cinema, he has grown into an ad filmmaker who has directed more than 100 commercial advertisements, built a recognised advertising agency, organised a major entertainment awards event and completed 10 vertical micro-drama series within six months.
With several new projects currently in development, Raj is continuing his work in commercial advertising while expanding his focus on mobile-first storytelling. As digital entertainment continues to evolve, his work highlights how independent creators are contributing to new formats that are reshaping content consumption across South India.
