Mumbai, Apr 03: In a landmark achievement for India’s emerging AI-driven film industry, Kalyug Rising – The Beginning, directed by award-winning filmmaker Prataya Saha, has secured a spot in the Global Top 10 at the prestigious Higgsfield “Make Your Action” Competition. The film ranked 9th among over 9,000 entries from more than 100 countries, becoming the only Indian AI film to achieve this distinction.
The project is a collaboration between Imagine If, an AI-first creative studio, and Prataya Saha, blending innovative storytelling with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. What began as an experimental exploration of AI’s creative potential has now evolved into a globally recognized benchmark in cinematic storytelling.
From Viral Success to Global Recognition
Kalyug Rising – The Beginning originated from a series of experimental videos that quickly gained traction, amassing over 60 million views within weeks. This early success laid the foundation for Imagine If as a full-fledged studio focused on harnessing AI to create cinematic-scale narratives.
A Visionary Creative Team
At the core of the project is a dynamic creative trio:
- Prataya Saha – Writer & Director
- Krishna – Founder, Imagine If
- Ankush Deva – AI Artist
Together, they have pushed the boundaries of AI-powered filmmaking while maintaining a strong focus on storytelling and realism.
“We didn’t set out to go viral—we set out to understand how far AI could push storytelling,” said Krishna. “The global recognition came as a byproduct of focusing on quality, realism, and narrative from day one.”
Redefining the Future of Filmmaking
Sharing his perspective, Prataya Saha said, “I’ve always believed AI and live-action hybrid filmmaking is the future. With Kalyug Rising, the story came first—AI simply allowed us to expand its scale and ambition.”
Echoing this vision, Ankush Deva added, “AI is not just about visual output; it’s about building a cinematic language where the medium disappears, leaving only the story.”
A New Era for AI-Driven Storytelling
With a growing slate of AI-led films and brand storytelling projects, Imagine If is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative shift in the industry. The expansion of the Kalyug Rising universe is already underway, signaling a future where AI plays a central role in redefining global storytelling.
