An AI-powered reimagination of Mahabharat will premiere on WAVES OTT on October 25, 2025, and air on Doordarshan from November 2. Produced by Collective Media Network, the series blends tradition with technology, offering cinematic realism and cultural depth. It marks a milestone in India’s digital storytelling and epic revival.
India’s timeless epic, the Mahabharat, is returning to screens in a groundbreaking avatar—powered by artificial intelligence. The Collective Media Network has announced the digital premiere of an AI-led reimagination of Mahabharat on WAVES OTT, scheduled for October 25, 2025. The series will also air on Doordarshan every Sunday at 11:00 AM starting November 2, marking a historic collaboration between India’s public broadcaster and next-generation storytelling platforms.
Key Highlights From The Announcement
- The series leverages advanced AI tools to reconstruct the Mahabharat universe with cinematic realism, including characters, battlefields, emotions, and moral dilemmas
- WAVES OTT will host the exclusive digital premiere, making the series accessible to audiences across India and globally
- Doordarshan will broadcast the episodes weekly, reviving the tradition of Sunday epic viewing for millions of households
- The project embodies the spirit of “Make in India” and “Digital India,” showcasing how heritage and innovation can converge in modern media
- Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi described the initiative as a fusion of “Vikas and Virasat,” blending progress with legacy
Cultural Context
- The Mahabharat has long been a cornerstone of Indian television, with its original 1988 series shaping generations of viewers
- This AI-led version aims to offer a fresh perspective while preserving the philosophical depth and narrative grandeur of the original epic
- The series is expected to appeal to both nostalgic audiences and tech-savvy youth, bridging generational gaps through immersive storytelling
Production Impact
- The Collective Media Network has employed AI to enhance visual effects, character modeling, and scene composition, reducing production timelines and costs
- The series is also expected to set a precedent for future AI-driven adaptations of Indian mythology and historical narratives
- Industry experts view this as a milestone in digital content innovation, potentially influencing global media trends
Outlook
- With its dual-platform release, the Mahabharat reimagination is poised to reach diverse audiences and spark renewed interest in epic literature
- The success of this venture may pave the way for similar AI-led projects in Indian entertainment and education sectors
Sources: MSN India, Times of India, Deccan Herald