The ancient epic Mahabharata has found a new avatar tailored for modern, scroll-happy audiences. Collective Media Network has launched Historyverse, a digital-first platform reimagining Indian mythological storytelling through AI-generated micro-dramas. At the core is India’s first AI-powered "Mahabharata", delivered in over 600 bite-sized episodes of three to four minutes each—perfect for Gen Z and mobile-first content consumption.
Blending Heritage and Innovation
At the launch, Vijay Subramaniam, Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, described Historyverse as an experiment in marrying “technology, progress, creativity, and format”. The goal is to make age-old stories accessible without diluting their spiritual and cultural essence.
Unlike traditional long-form adaptations, Historyverse prioritizes design for modern attention spans. Subramaniam explained:
“I have to maintain the divinity and devotion of what my grandmother would like—but I’m not making her watch it. I’m making the kids watch it… it has to be in that scroll-worthy format.”
AI: The Storyteller’s Toolkit
The micro-drama adaptation is entirely AI-generated—from visuals and voiceovers to scripts and music. No CGI actors or body mapping were used. Subramaniam emphasized:
“These faces don’t exist on the internet or in real life. These are unique faces.”
The AI’s ability to produce this series at scale without losing narrative integrity illustrates its potential as an accelerator of cultural storytelling.
Another Lens: Shorter, Thoughtful Story Arcs
This isn’t the only attempt to modernize the Mahabharata narrative. Creator Sudeep Lahiri is launching a highly personalized version on Instagram, marketed as India’s first AI-led micro-drama adaptation, tailored specifically for social media. His version prioritizes cinematic punch and emotional beats, not entire narrative arcs.
With a team of 15, Lahiri used AI across the board—from tone setting to rhythmic presentation—to ensure stories land meaningfully in around three minutes. “It’s not about replacing long-form,” he said, “it’s about giving mythology a new form that travels faster and further.”
Why This Matters Now
These AI-driven adaptations reflect a broader shift in storytelling for younger audiences. Traditional epic retellings are being recalibrated for speed, personalization, and format. In a country with one of the world’s youngest populations, such modern reinterpretations serve dual purposes:
- Preserving cultural legacies through contemporary media.
- Ensuring mythological narratives remain relevant in digital-first consumption habits.
While full-length adaptations remain valuable, these formats align storytelling with how younger audiences interact with content today—snackable, emotional, and immersive.
Balancing Reverence and Reinvention
Both Historyverse’s and Lahiri’s adaptations underscore a deliberate balance: honoring the epic’s sanctity while ensuring emotional and narrative relevance. They are not a replacement for long-form-experience but rather complementary expressions for different consumption modes.
As these AI-powered versions reach feeds and screens, they signal an emerging model where heritage storytelling meets futuristic design. For creators and content strategists, this opens new storytelling verticals—merging authenticity, technology, and demographic insight.