iWorld
Times Internet’s Gaana.com looks to raise $150 million
MUMBAI: After music streaming service Saavn raised over $100 million not so long ago, its competitor Times Internet’s Gaana.com is all set to make a similar move in order to expand its base and invade newer territories. If industry sources are to be believed, the venture is looking to raise over $150 million.
While Gaana.com business head Pawan Agarwal confirmed to Indiantelevision.com on the fund raising, he declined to disclose the amount as well as the parties that were looking at investing into the venture.
“India is a vast market and we have aspirations of expansion and to fuel that we plan to raise funds through venture capitals and other private investors,” said Agarwal.
It may be recalled that recently, Saavn announced its move to enter into delivering video content to its subscribers. When queried as to whether Gaana was also looking to take the same route, Agarwal replied, “At this point of time, we do not have such plans. There is enough room in the music streaming market and we are concentrating on that.”
So far, the Times Group has invested $25 million in Gaana.com, which has crossed 22 million downloads across Android and iOS as well as clocked 16 million monthly active users. On the other hand, Saavn, which was founded in 2007, has 14 million monthly active users, up from 11 million in the first quarter of 2015. What’s more, it expects to cross 20 million by the end of the year.
The music streaming players in India are planning thick and fast so as not to leave the market wide open for rivals.
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.
