iWorld
SonyLIV shows how hate converts to love in ‘Black Coffee’
MUMBAI: Can you fall in love with someone you have always detested? They say, don’t get too personal at work, but what happens when business leads you to your true love?
Addressing the complexities of love and taking on the concept of attraction, SonyLIV, brings to the small screen Black Coffee; a seven-episode web series by Beyond Originals.
The series is about love changing perceptions and breaking boundaries. The series is centred around a bestselling novelist, Dhruv Narang (Param Singh) and Hemal Shah (Harshita Gaur), two individuals who are leading their lives with fixed notions about love. The story underlines the bittersweet romance of the lead couple, their constant clashes and their journey from hate to love.
SonyLIV, EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi, said, “At SonyLIV, it is our constant endeavour to deliver content that not just entertains but also evokes emotions. We are happy to associate with Beyond Originals to bring entertaining yet relatable stories to the small screen. Keeping our brand ethos ‘We LIV to entertain’ in mind, we will continue to curate content that enhances viewer experience and establishes a connect with them.”
Beyond Originals Founder Yash Patnaik said, “Black Coffee is the first of Beyond Originals’ offering of digital content. Our previous series with Sony Kuchh Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi was well-received and appreciated by the viewers. I am hoping that Black Coffee continues to spread love and be appreciated.”
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.
