AI cuts film production costs by up to 70%, says Collective Artists Network CEO

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a step-change in content production, with costs falling by up to 60-70% and timelines shrinking, according to Vijay Subramaniam, Group CEO and Founder of Collective Artists Network.

In an interaction with CNBC-TV18, Subramaniam said AI is not just improving efficiencies but fundamentally reshaping how large-scale content, especially in mythology and fantasy genres, is produced.

"Something that would traditionally take weeks across design, pre-visualisation, and

VFX can now be done in a matter of days with a smaller, more integrated team," he said.

The company is leveraging AI to build large-format projects such as Mahabharata, Hanuman, Krishna, and Karna, majorly reducing reliance on physical production and heavy post-production.

While traditional filmmaking involves substantial upfront investments in sets, VFX, and infrastructure, AI-led pipelines are enabling a reallocation of capital towards technology, systems, and iterative creative development.

"It's not about making cheaper films, but achieving similar or greater scale with a more optimised cost structure," he added.

Collective Artists Network, which Subramaniam claims is among India's largest creator ecosystems, is also ramping up its AI-driven content output. The company says it is producing AI-led content at an unprecedented pace in the region.

Despite concerns around automation, Subramaniam dismissed fears of AI replacing human roles. "It's a false narrative. AI empowers creators rather than replacing them. Directors, writers, and designers remain central to the process," he said.

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The company has also transformed a deep-tech acquisition into a full-fledged AI studio, named Galleri5, and is seeing strong traction in integrated brand deals, with deal sizes increasing as brands move beyond one-off campaigns to full-stack partnerships.

Backed by investors, including Nikhil Kamath and Nepean Capital, the company said it is profitable and well-capitalised, with no immediate fundraising plans.

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Looking ahead, Collective is expanding its global footprint, with an existing presence in West Asia and plans to grow further in Southeast Asia.

The company is also evaluating a potential public listing, with more clarity expected over the next year.

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