From the hills of Mandi – Himachal Pradesh to the heart of India’s digital media tech space. What began as a personal search for creative expression has become Shucae Films, an OTT platform that empowers independent creators across the country. The journey reflects not only the evolution of an entrepreneur but also the rise of India’s regional voices in a rapidly transforming entertainment world.
Rooted in Himachal, Driven by Vision
Born in Sarkaghat, Mandi, Manoj Doogra grew up surrounded by folk stories and music that rarely reached mainstream audiences. That early exposure shaped his understanding of how culture lives outside the spotlight. Years later, as a corporate professional at IBM India and HCL, and later a management graduate from IIM Calcutta, he recognised how technology could amplify that authenticity.
“People from smaller towns often feel invisible in national media,” Manoj says. “Shucae Films OTT is my way of turning that invisibility into visibility.”
The Birth of Shucae Films
Launched officially on 15 October 2025, Shucae Films OTT emerged from a simple but urgent question — why do talented creators need to compromise to be seen? The platform offers an ecosystem where short films, regional music, ghazals, and audiobooks coexist.
Building a Regional Revolution
Shucae Films has made regional storytelling its anchor. The company actively curates content from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and the Northeast, showcasing voices that reflect India’s true diversity. Unlike platforms built around metropolitan preferences, Shucae Films OTT treats these creators as mainstream contributors, not niche participants.
“India doesn’t lack stories,” Manoj notes. “It lacks the infrastructure to distribute them fairly.”
By combining regional authenticity with data-driven transparency, the startup turns local art into a national experience.
The Human Side of Entrepreneurship
Manoj’s transition from corporate executive to founder wasn’t impulsive. It grew out of lived frustration as a stand-up comedian navigating an ecosystem skewed toward popularity metrics. That perspective shaped his leadership approach — pragmatic, empathetic, and mission-driven.
“I didn’t want to build just another startup,” he explains. “I wanted to build something creators could trust.”
His belief is that business success should be a by-product of purpose, not the other way around. At Shucae Films OTT, that purpose translates into building long-term value — measured in engagement, not vanity views.
Beyond Commerce: A Cultural Legacy
Shucae Films OTT represents a new kind of media tech entrepreneurship emerging from smaller Indian towns — confident, culture-aware, and technically adept. For Himachal Pradesh, it signals how regional founders can compete nationally without leaving their roots.
The company’s roadmap includes collaborations with local creators and broadcasters, to create hyper-local storytelling verticals. Each initiative aims to bring underrepresented cultures into the digital mainstream.
The Future of Creator-Led Streaming
India’s entertainment audience is shifting from consumption to connection. Shucae Films intends to lead that transition by blending entertainment with empowerment. Manoj Doogra, sees the platform not just as a product but as a movement — one that redefines visibility for creators from every corner of the country.
“If someone from a small village Banyorka, where total population is only 63 people, Himachal can dream and be discovered, that’s the real success story,” he says.
In that statement lies the heart of Shucae Films OTT — a platform that started as a personal vision and is now quietly reshaping how India listens, watches, and remembers its own voices.
Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tv.userApp&pli=1)
App Store (https://apps.apple.com/in/app/shucae-films/id6751293564
