IICT and YouTube Unveil First Four AI-Enabled Short Films
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and YouTube unveiled the first four AI-enabled short films of the Create with AI programme at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai.

Why in News
On 7 October 2026 the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that the first four AI-enabled short films under the IICT and YouTube Create with AI programme were unveiled at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai.
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and YouTube unveiled the first four AI-enabled short films made under their Create with AI programme at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai. The programme was announced in November 2025 to back creative projects built with artificial intelligence and to strengthen India's capability in emerging technologies.
The four films
The filmmakers released the films on their own YouTube channels at the same hour. The four span history, mythology, human emotion and space exploration.
| Chekavar | Avium Studios, a fictional story set against the Battle of Colachel of 1741 |
| CHANAKYA: The Mind of an Empire | Eleventh Door Studio, on the strategist and architect of the Mauryan Empire |
| DEVI: The Nine Astras | Kalpanik Films, on the divine manifestation of Shakti |
| Laika | Karthik Kult Kreations, on a dog sent into space |
Who said what
IICT Chief Executive Officer Dr Vishwas Deoskar said India has the chance to lead the next chapter of AI-led filmmaking, and that the programme brings institutional mentorship and advanced AI tools together so that Indian creative studios can experiment and build new workflows. Gunjan Soni, Managing Director of YouTube India, said independent creators are now building production powerhouses on their own terms, and that the partnership shows what happens when Indian storytelling meets frontier technology.
The productivity finding
A Gen Media India report by Public First and Google found that generative media tools give creative workers in India a productivity gain of 20 per cent. That works out to roughly 390 hours saved every year, or close to ten full weeks returned to writing, world-building and craft.
About IICT
IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality, known by the short form AVGC-XR. It was set up with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Government of Maharashtra, FICCI and CII. Its first campus began working at the NFDC Complex in July 2025, and a permanent campus spread over ten acres is being developed at Film City, Goregaon. The institute runs eighteen courses and has tie-ups with global technology and media companies.
Senior officers of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting attended, among them Director General (West Zone) Smita Vats Sharma, Joint Secretary Senthil Rajan, NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum and CBFC Chief Executive Officer Rajendra Singh.
Important Facts
| Programme | Create with AI, announced in November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Partners | Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and YouTube |
| Films unveiled | Four AI-enabled short films |
| Venue | IICT Theatre, Mumbai |
| Chekavar | Avium Studios, set against the Battle of Colachel of 1741 |
| Productivity gain | 20 per cent, about 390 hours saved a year |
| Report | Gen Media India, by Public First and Google |
| IICT | National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR |
| Set up with | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Maharashtra, FICCI and CII |
| IICT CEO | Dr Vishwas Deoskar |
| YouTube India MD | Gunjan Soni |
Exam Point of View
Remember the two partners (IICT and YouTube), the programme name and the month it was announced, the number of films unveiled, their titles and studios, the Battle of Colachel of 1741 behind Chekavar, the productivity figures of 20 per cent and about 390 hours, the full form of AVGC-XR and the four institutions that set up IICT.
Practice Questions
The Create with AI programme is a collaboration between YouTube and which institution?
- A.Film and Television Institute of India
- B.Indian Institute of Creative Technologies
- C.Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
- D.National School of Drama
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Indian Institute of Creative Technologies
Explanation
The correct answer is Indian Institute of Creative Technologies. The Create with AI programme was announced in November 2025 by IICT together with YouTube, to support creative projects built with artificial intelligence and to strengthen India's capability in emerging technologies, and the first four AI-enabled short films under it were unveiled at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai. Option A is wrong because the Film and Television Institute of India is a separate training institute and is not a partner in this programme. Option C is wrong for the same reason, as that institute in Kolkata has no stated role here. Option D is wrong because the National School of Drama works in theatre training. IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality, which is the sector this programme belongs to.
The AI-enabled film Chekavar is set against the backdrop of which battle?
- A.Battle of Colachel, 1741
- B.Battle of Plassey, 1757
- C.Battle of Talikota, 1565
- D.Battle of Wandiwash, 1760
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Battle of Colachel, 1741
Explanation
The correct answer is Battle of Colachel, 1741. Chekavar, made by Avium Studios, is a fictional cinematic story set against that historic battle, and it draws inspiration from the land, the people, the courage and the martial traditions of the era. Option B is wrong because the Battle of Plassey, although a famous turning point in Indian history, is not the setting of this film. Option C is wrong because the Battle of Talikota belongs to a much earlier period of peninsular history and does not appear here. Option D is wrong because the Battle of Wandiwash is likewise not connected to the film. The other three films unveiled on the same day were CHANAKYA: The Mind of an Empire, DEVI: The Nine Astras and Laika, which should be remembered with their studios.
According to the Gen Media India report by Public First and Google, generative media tools give creative workers in India a productivity boost of how much?
- A.10 per cent
- B.15 per cent
- C.20 per cent
- D.35 per cent
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 20 per cent
Explanation
The correct answer is 20 per cent. The Gen Media India report prepared by Public First and Google found that generative media tools offer a productivity boost of that order for creative workers in India, which translates into roughly 390 hours saved every year, or close to ten full weeks given back for writing, world-building and refining craft. The reasoning is that generative tools remove production bottlenecks rather than replace the creator. Option A, Option B and Option D are all wrong because no such figure is reported in the study; the boost quoted is a fifth of working time. Aspirants should pair the percentage with the hours saved, since a question may ask for either, and should also note the names of the two organisations behind the report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Create with AI programme?
It is a programme of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and YouTube, announced in November 2025, to support AI-led creative projects. Its first four AI-enabled short films were unveiled at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai.
Which battle forms the backdrop of the film Chekavar?
The Battle of Colachel of 1741. The film by Avium Studios is a fictional story drawing on the land, people, courage and martial traditions of that era.
What does AVGC-XR stand for?
Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality. IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for this sector, set up with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Government of Maharashtra, FICCI and CII.
Sources
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2320332 (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
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