India Showcases AI Film Revolution & 51 Startups at AI Impact Summit 2026

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry's pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 will feature panels and masterclasses on AI's role in media, including a session by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. A key highlight is the WAVES Creators Corner, where 51 Indian startups are demonstrating AI innovations like autonomous newsrooms and multilingual dubbing tools. Adobe is collaborating to present "Kathavatar," a series of AI-generated short films based on Indian folklore, screening at an AI Immersive Theatre. These initiatives aim to position India as a leader in responsible AI-driven creativity and content production.

Key Points: AI in Media Showcased at India AI Summit 2026 by I&B Ministry

  • AI-driven filmmaking showcase
  • 51 AVGC-XR startups exhibiting
  • Multilingual AI dubbing & sign language avatars
  • Responsible AI frameworks for media
  • Interactive AI storytelling experiences
3 min read

I&B Ministry to host AI-focused panels at AI Summit, 51 startups showcasing innovations in WAVES Creators Corner

I&B Ministry hosts AI panels & 51 startup innovations at summit. Features AI films, voice tech, and Shekhar Kapur's masterclass on AI storytelling.

"showcase India's growing leadership in AI-enabled creativity - Official Release"

New Delhi, February 16

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry Pavilion at India AI Impact Summit 2026 will feature panels, masterclasses, and technology showcases exploring AI's transformative impact on media and entertainment, including AI-driven production workflows, multilingual voice technologies, gaming innovation, content monetization, and responsible AI frameworks.

Highlights include interactive AI micro-drama storytelling, the Kathavatar AI-generated short films in partnership with Adobe, and Shekhar Kapur's masterclass on AI-powered storytelling, examining the evolution of filmmaking and cultural authenticity.

Sessions will showcase innovations from LTM BlueVerse, AWS, Google with Evergent, Sony Research India, PurpleTalk, Dashverse, Pocket FM, Kuku FM, and Lumikai, promoting knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and India's leadership in responsible AI creative services, an official release said.

At the India AI Impact Expo 2026, 51 startups from India's AVGC-XR and Media Tech sector are showcasing AI-powered innovations at the WAVES Creators Corner.

The platform features immersive storytelling, gaming, virtual production, and next-gen content technologies.

Highlights include the Zero-Touch Autonomous Newsroom, Bhasha-Wall with multilingual dubbing and AI sign language avatars, interactive experiences like Samvad Setu and The Director's Chair, an AI podcast studio, conversational humanoid robots, and voice cloning.

Bhashasetu and Kalaasetu challenge winners will also present AI-driven tools preserving cultural heritage and enhancing linguistic accessibility, demonstrating India's creative tech leadership.

Adobe, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, will present a series of AI-driven creative initiatives at the MIB Pavilion, WAVES Creators Corner, during the India AI Impact Summit.

As part of the collaboration, Adobe will present Kathavatar, a curated showcase of five Made-in-India AI short films inspired by Indian folklore. The films Language of Birds, Migoi, Uttarayan, The Barber's Secret, and Yappasauras will be screened throughout the Summit at the AI Theatre within WAVES Creators Corner. The showcase will highlight a new generation of Indian filmmakers experimenting with artificial intelligence in storytelling and cinematic craft.

Adobe will also host a thematic session titled "The Future of Film: AI, Creativity, and Craft," focused on emerging AI filmmaking practices and evolving creative workflows, the release said.

In addition, the Content Creation Hub, powered by Adobe, will demonstrate AI-led video creation workflows designed for modern content creators, offering insights into tools that enable faster production, enhanced creativity, and scalable content development.

Through these initiatives, Adobe and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting aim to showcase India's growing leadership in AI-enabled creativity and strengthen innovation across the media and entertainment ecosystem, the release said.

It said that AI Immersive Theatre in New Delhi introduces a transformative cinematic space featuring 270-degree projection, spatial design, and AI-powered storytelling that fully surrounds audiences in an interactive environment. Conceived as a cultural centrepiece, it blends technology and narrative to redefine audience engagement.

Led by the National Film Development Corporation and Waves Bazaar under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, the showcase includes curated AI films, CinemAI Hackathon finalists from the International Film Festival of India, and Kathavatar screenings at Bharat Mandapam, positioning India at the forefront of responsible AI-driven cinema.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Aman W
Very promising initiative. The focus on responsible AI frameworks is crucial. While the tech is exciting, we must ensure it empowers our artists and storytellers, not replaces them. The masterclass by Shekhar Kapur should provide much-needed perspective on balancing tech with cultural authenticity.
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Rohit P
51 startups showcasing! That's the real story. Our young innovators are leading the charge. Hope this summit leads to real funding and policy support, not just talk. The zero-touch newsroom and AI dubbing tools sound incredibly practical for our diverse media landscape.
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Sarah B
As someone working in media, the multilingual voice tech and sign language avatars mentioned are a huge need. Making content accessible across India's many languages and for the hearing impaired is a noble application of AI. Hope these tools become affordable for smaller production houses soon.
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Karthik V
Impressive scale, but a word of caution. With great power comes great responsibility. While celebrating innovation, the panels must seriously address deepfakes, copyright issues, and job displacement in the M&E sector. The "responsible AI" part cannot be just a buzzword.
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Nisha Z
The AI Immersive Theatre with 270-degree projection sounds mind-blowing! 🎬 It's like a tech-savvy version of our traditional storytelling *baithaks*. Combining this with Indian folklore films could create a unique global attraction. Can't wait to experience it!

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