Author: Bihar Say | Amrita |

When India’s digital entertainment space evolved, one name quietly led the movement—Arunabh Kumar, the proud Bihari founder of The Viral Fever (TVF).

This feature is part of the “60 Days – 60 Startups from Bihar” series by Bihar Say, celebrating homegrown visionaries who are redefining Bihar’s identity in the world of innovation and creativity.

From Muzaffarpur to Media Leadership

Arunabh Kumar was born and raised in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. He graduated from IIT Kharagpur with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While the world expected him to follow a conventional career path, Arunabh chose storytelling.

He began his creative career as an assistant director at Red Chillies Entertainment, contributing to the blockbuster film Om Shanti Om. This experience solidified his interest in content creation.

That blend of technical discipline and creative energy led him to launch one of India’s most groundbreaking content brands—The Viral Fever.

TVF: A Pioneer in Indian Web Content

Founded in 2010, The Viral Fever (TVF) was India’s first YouTube-based content studio dedicated to telling stories for and about Indian youth.

Under Arunabh’s leadership, TVF produced long-form, original series that quickly became cultural benchmarks. These include:

• Kota Factory – India’s first black-and-white web series focused on the life of IIT aspirants

• TVF Pitchers – a trailblazing startup drama that resonated with aspiring entrepreneurs

• Panchayat – a relatable tale of a young professional adjusting to rural India

• Tripling – a story of sibling bonding and self-discovery

• Permanent Roommates – one of India’s earliest and most-loved relationship dramas

TVF’s strength lies in its authenticity. The stories are rooted, emotionally intelligent, and reflective of real India.

TVF’s Reach and Impact

As of 2025, TVF has reached significant milestones:

• Over 13 million YouTube subscribers

• More than 1.4 billion lifetime views

• Panchayat Season 3 earned 28.2 million views

• Kota Factory Season 3 reached 15.8 million views

• Pitchers Season 1 Episode 1 has over 7.7 million views

• Permanent Roommates crossed 50 million views

TVF is now expanding into four Indian languages and will release 20 new web series and its first feature film in 2025. Its rise is not just a content success—it is a storytelling revolution.

A Bihari Founder Who Redefined Digital India

Arunabh Kumar’s story is proof that big ideas often come from humble beginnings. From Muzaffarpur to Mumbai, his journey reflects Bihar’s growing footprint in India’s digital and entrepreneurial space.

As the founder of TVF, Arunabh gave Indian youth a mirror, and in doing so, helped millions find their stories online. His impact on web series and digital content is profound and lasting.

60 Days – 60 Startups: A Bihar Say Initiative

This blog is part of “60 Days – 60 Startups from Bihar” by Bihar Say, an initiative to spotlight creators, founders, and changemakers rooted in Bihar who are reshaping industries nationwide.

To read more powerful founder journeys, follow www.biharsay.com and join our 12,000+ strong global community that believes in Bihar’s talent and future.