iWorld
NGC specials examine the Vatican and Pakistan
The National Geographic Channel will end the month with a couple of specials offering diverse perspectives. Inside the Vatican airs on 30 March at 7.00 pm. The Vatican is one of the most widely known places in the world. 524 people reside in it. The State of Vatican City is the world's smallest nation. Its leader the Pope, has the distinction of being both its supreme civil authority and the head of the Roman Catholic church.
The Vatican draws tourists due to its magnificent art, architecture, manuscripts, books, and historical documents. This special is inspired by the National Geographic book Inside the Vatican. It will provide a rare glimpse of the Vatican and the thriving community that exists within its walls. Actor Martin Sheen The West Wing narrates the story.
On 31 March at 9pm watch Honour Killing in Pakistan. Here filmmaker Mick Davie travels to Pakistan to expose the practice of honour killing. A man can sometimes kill a woman without punishment. In the story Zahida Perveen's husband mutilated her and left her to die. But she lived and fought back, demanded justice, and won. This is her story, and the story of campaigners like her. The story revolves around the Pakistani women's fight for equal rights.
iWorld
Hari Om OTT bets on AI-first filmmaking after Bharat Next Gen takeover
Platform plans six devotional series yearly, with Dronacharya set for June 2026 release.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… algorithm. In a move that blends mythology with machine learning, devotional streaming platform Hari Om OTT is placing artificial intelligence at the heart of its filmmaking playbook. Founded by media entrepreneur Vibhu Agarwal and recently acquired by Bharat Next Gen Digital Pvt Ltd, the platform has announced a full scale AI first content strategy that positions artificial intelligence as the backbone of its film production model. The company plans to launch six original devotional series annually, beginning in the upcoming financial year.
Rather than treating AI as a post production shortcut, Hari Om OTT says it has spent the past 14 months building a full 360 degree in house AI ecosystem designed to power the entire creative pipeline. The platform has assembled a specialised internal team that includes AI Creative Directors, devotional content researchers and dedicated scriptwriters, bringing everything from concept development to execution under one roof.
The studio already has multiple films in production and is targeting at least three theatrical releases in the coming financial year. Leading the slate is Dronacharya, scheduled for release in June 2026, followed by Khatushyam Ji, Salasar Balaji and Rani Dadi Sati. Additional projects in development include stories centred on Agrasen Maharaj Ji and Chatthi Maiya.
Beyond feature films and series, Hari Om OTT is also expanding into a documentary vertical that explores the cultural heritage and temples of different Indian states. Designed as a state wise tourism promotional series, the project will use AI driven visual tools to offer immersive glimpses into India’s spiritual and architectural legacy, aiming to connect devotional storytelling with heritage tourism for global audiences.
Bharat Next Gen director Kanhiya Mittal described the upcoming slate as the start of what he calls a new cinematic movement powered by artificial intelligence.
“With Dronacharya, we are initiating a new cinematic movement powered by AI. This technology allows us to present India’s sacred history and cultural legacy with greater scale and authenticity. Our vision aligns with the prime minister’s emphasis on AI first innovation for India’s growth. We believe storytelling rooted in tradition, enhanced by technology, can position India as a global leader in human centric AI creativity,” he said.
Backed by Bharat Next Gen, Hari Om OTT is now positioning itself as a technology forward devotional content studio operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and culturally rooted storytelling, where epics from the past may soon be shaped as much by code as by creativity.
