The production of 'Beta Builder' is officially underway in Mumbai, a city that will serve as both its backdrop and creative inspiration. Helming the project is Hridaye A. Nagpal, InVideo's Global Creative Lead, who brings a vision of integrating advanced technology with traditional filmmaking.
This film is the first in a slate of five AI-powered features, part of a substantial ₹100 crore ($10.5M) commitment over three years by Abundantia and InVideo. Abundantia AiOn, established last year, positions itself as a "human-first and AI-empowered" production arm, aiming to revolutionize storytelling by merging live-action filming with AI-driven production techniques.
More, known for his work in 'Kotak Factory & Black' and 'White & Gray: Love kills,' and Thakur, celebrated for 'The Family Man,' will lead the cast. The story centers on Jai, a self-taught, brilliant architect from Mumbai's Dharavi, who finds an opportunity to realize his dreams within a virtual reality world. However, he soon discovers that true victory extends beyond personal achievement, requiring him to challenge the system, win the affection of his beloved, and empower his community.
Director Nagpal expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "With AI-assisted filmmaking, storytellers can dream much bigger, and backing a bold idea finally feels possible." He believes the partnership provides filmmakers with the necessary scale and creative support for such innovative endeavors. "'Beta Builder' is our bet on that future, with a live-action shoot and AI working side by side," Nagpal added.
Vikram Malhotra, founder and CEO of Abundantia, reiterated the company's commitment to leveraging AI for unique and impactful narratives. "In our partnership with InVideo and Sanket, our focus is to leverage AI and tell stories that are unique, impactful and entertaining," Malhotra said. He praised Nagpal as an ideal filmmaker for this project, combining strong creative vision with technological expertise. This aligns with Malhotra's broader vision, previously shared with Deadline, of a "confluence of technology and art" being essential for studio-level AI integration.
Sanket Shah, CEO of InVideo, emphasized his company's mission to empower storytellers with powerful tools. "'Beta Builder' is where that mission takes the form of a full-length film, made with a partner of Abundantia’s calibre," Shah remarked, highlighting the film's theme of building something lasting as a fitting start to their collaborative slate.
Abundantia Entertainment has a strong track record, having produced popular titles such as the Prime Video series 'Breathe' and 'Daldal,' and Netflix's 'Maa Behen, Baby.' InVideo, a U.S.-based company with offices in India, boasts over 50 million users for its AI filmmaking platform and has backed projects like Sony LIV’s 'Penumbra.' This collaboration promises to push the boundaries of cinematic creation, offering audiences a glimpse into the future of storytelling.