Jio Studios, Collective Artists Network Unveil ‘Krishna’ Teaser at NAB SHOW 2026

By Pickle April 20, 2026

As AI moves from experimentation to production, Jio Studios and Collective Studios are building an AI-native filmmaking model rooted in Indian storytelling.

At NAB SHOW 2026 in Las Vegas, Jio Studios and Collective Studios’ Historyverse set a new benchmark for cinematic innovation with the global unveiling of the first teaser for their forthcoming feature, Krishna.

Directed by Manu Anand, Krishna represents a leap forward in cinematic innovation, powered by a pioneering AI-native production pipeline developed by Galleri5—Collective Artists Network’s in-house AI platform—leveraging the advanced cloud and AI capabilities of Microsoft Azure.

The world premiere of Krishna’s teaser, together with an in-depth showcase of Collective’s AI platform, was a centerpiece of Microsoft’s keynote, “Powering Intelligent Media; From AI Experimentation to Real-World Impact.”

Here, Collective Artists Network was recognized as a trailblazer, bringing AI from the fringes of experimentation into production-scale deployment for major film projects. The technology also features prominently at Microsoft’s NAB booth, offering industry professionals a firsthand look at its transformative potential.

A significant departure from traditional VFX and animation methodologies, Krishna is built from the ground up on an AI-native pipeline, seamlessly integrating technology into every layer of filmmaking—from world-building and character creation to shot design and final outputs.

Despite the technological leap, the film remains rooted in a director-led, cinematic approach, ensuring that emotional resonance, performance, and music remain at its core. This approach enables filmmakers to realize grand, theatrical visions anchored in Indian history and culture, while expanding the creative horizons of cinematic storytelling.

Galleri5’s proprietary workflows enable creators to operate at unprecedented scale, while maintaining creative control and narrative authenticity. Native integration with Microsoft Azure and support from Microsoft Foundry ensures secure, enterprise-grade, end-to-end workflows that span film, episodic, and advertising content, putting powerful AI tools in the hands of storytellers.

Empowering Indian Storytelling with Global Ambition

Jyoti Deshpande, President – Jio Studios (Media & Content Business, Reliance Industries), emphasized the studio’s mission: “At Jio Studios, our endeavor has always been to take Indian stories to the world with scale, ambition, and authenticity. With Krishna, we are not only embracing cutting-edge AI-led filmmaking but also advancing our commitment to future-forward storytelling powered by world-class technology being built in India. Our focus is to empower creators to fully realize their vision, amplify diverse creative voices, and craft stories that connect emotionally with audiences.”

Vijay Subramaniam, Founder & Group CEO, Collective Artists Network, highlighted the broader vision: “Krishna is not just about rethinking how films are built, but also about where these stories can go. We’re using technology developed here in India to take our culture and history to a global audience, at a scale that wasn’t possible earlier. For us, this is a long-term priority—creating stories rooted in who we are, but that can travel anywhere in the world.”

Speaking on Microsoft’s collaboration, Silvia Candiani, Vice President, Telco, Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Microsoft, said, “The media industry has reached a clear inflection point, where AI is no longer about experimentation, but about delivering real impact at production scale for creators. By building AI-native creative systems on Microsoft Azure, Collective exemplifies how storytellers can unlock new formats, move faster, and realize a true return on intelligence, while keeping human creativity at the center.”

Expanding the Historyverse Slate

Krishna is the next chapter in Historyverse, Collective Studios’ ambitious slate of culturally driven IPs, drawing from iconic Indian mythological and historical figures such as Kali, Karna, and Durga. The already acclaimed Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh series laid the foundation for this vision, demonstrating how deeply rooted narratives can be reimagined for modern audiences.

Jio Studios: A Market Leader in Cinematic Excellence

Jio Studios, the media and content arm of Reliance Industries Limited, has firmly established itself as India’s leading content studio. With record-breaking successes such as the Dhurandhar franchise and critically acclaimed films like Laapataa Ladies, Stree 2, and Article 370, the studio continues to set new benchmarks. In just eight years, Jio Studios has built a robust content library of 160+ films and series—winning over 500 awards—and remains committed to its vision of “Make in India, Show the World.”

Looking Ahead: Technology and Storytelling United

The unveiling of Krishna at NAB 2026 marks a defining moment for Jio Studios and Collective Studios as they push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. By marrying talent, technology, and a culturally rich narrative tradition, these studios are charting a path for the future of global cinema—where powerful stories, advanced AI, and creative ambition come together on the world stage.