Eloelo's Saurabh Pandey bets that Dolphin AI can break the gatekeepers of Indian storytelling
The Eloelo Group founder told YourStory's flagship audience that AI-led production could turn India's storytellers into a global export force.
When James Cameron's epic sci-fi film Avatar captivated audiences in the late 2000s, many Indians pondered why their own country wasn't producing similarly groundbreaking films. Saurabh Pandey, Founder and CEO of Eloelo Group, believes that question is on the verge of being answered. Eloelo is a Bengaluru-based live social entertainment and social gaming platform, launched in 2020 by ex-Flipkart executives Pandey and Akshay Dubey.
The platform merges video/audio livestreaming with interactive gaming, specifically tailored for India's youth and vernacular markets.
At the 17th edition of TechSparks, YourStory's flagship event, Pandey showcased Dolphin AI, Eloelo's AI video creation tool, in a session titled "Can AI turn India into a global content export hub?" Dolphin AI currently boasts a waitlist, with invite codes released in batches. The platform remains free for now, as Eloelo offers generous early credits to creators, enabling them to experiment with the solution. However, a credit-based pricing model will eventually be introduced.
Pandey argues that AI is a game-changer in the VFX era, as it significantly reduces production costs, previously restricting storytelling ability to those with sizable budgets. In the era of AI, a creator in India can now compete for attention on the global stage, on par with creators from more economically prosperous nations. Moreover, micro-drama and short-form content have gained traction, with a few Indian startups dominating the market. However, these platforms face challenges in achieving widespread popularity.
Pandey emphasizes that the real opportunity lies on the supply side, urging founders to build lean AI studios instead of focusing on platform races. He advises writers and producers to view AI as a brainstorming partner, facilitating the creation of more content. One example Pandey suggested was an AI Ramayana, which, while existing, has yet to be transformed into a spectacular AI Mahabharata.
Eloelo has evolved from a single platform to five within the same group, with an IPO not currently on the horizon. For Pandey, the focus remains on sustainable and profitable growth.
Written by urgent.news from YourStory's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
