How Indian app makers are filling in the gap for TikTok

Ever since the Indian government has banned 59 Chinese apps, including the popular short-video platform TikTok, users and creators have been searching for an Indian alternative with similar reach, virality and range of content. Most of the apps may not develop into world-class products, but their eyes are fixed on the next billion smartphone users residing in small towns and villages, comfortable in various Indian languages.

A look at the various Indian short-video platforms, their journeys and what is cooking in their tech lab.

ShareChat

‘Agar aapko Sachin ke WhatsApp group mein aana hai, toh apna phone number daal dijiye’ – this post on a Sachin Tendulkar fan page on Facebook, with over 50K comments, became the genesis of ShareChat, in 2015.