iWorld
When Gods Meet the Grid JioStar’s AI Mahabharat Rewrites Epic History
MUMBAI: When Arjuna draws his bow this time, even the algorithms hold their breath. JioStar’s Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is here to prove that when ancient mythology meets artificial intelligence, the result can be divine disruption.
In an era when filmmakers worldwide are wrestling with AI’s role in creativity, JioStar has galloped ahead of the chariot line. Its latest web series, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh, uses AI not as a gimmick but as a guiding force to reimagine India’s most revered epic for a new generation. The show’s trailer already hints at a visual spectacle that fuses emotion with engineering where machine intelligence breathes new life into gods, warriors, and moral dilemmas that have shaped Indian thought for millennia.
Launching on JioHotstar on 25 October and premiering on Star Plus on 26 October, the first instalment spans 100 episodes, inviting viewers to relive the dynastic war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas now rendered with astonishing realism and cinematic scale. The AI-assisted production doesn’t just recreate battles and palaces; it reconstructs the soul of the Mahabharata itself, translating its philosophical weight into a modern, immersive visual language.
“For many of us, the Mahabharat is more than just a story; it’s the tales we grew up hearing from our parents and grandparents,” said Collective Artists Network founder and group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “With AI Mahabharat, we get to experience those same timeless stories in a completely new way, brought to life through the power of modern AI technology. The trailer is just a glimpse of what’s ahead emotional, grand, and immersive.”
The collaboration between creative storytellers and machine intelligence lies at the heart of JioStar’s latest leap. JioStar CEO of entertainment Kevin Vaz called it “a fusion of a timeless epic and machine intelligence that mirrors the spirit of a new India.” He added, “Through this series, we’re building a bridge between tradition and the future, proving that our oldest and most revered stories can still be our most futuristic yet.”
The show stands as a technological and cultural statement that India’s storytelling tradition can evolve without losing its soul. For a generation raised on screens and scrolls, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh offers not just nostalgia, but a rebirth of mythology in pixels and code.
From Krishna’s counsel to Karna’s tragedy, every scene is rendered with AI precision yet retains the heart of human conflict and emotion. If JioStar’s gamble pays off, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh may just mark the beginning of a new genre, one where myth meets machine, and creativity becomes truly infinite.
Because when the Gita meets the grid, destiny isn’t just written, it’s rendered.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
