What is Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh? Will AI replace your favourite actors?
- Girikrishna GP
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is India’s latest reinterpretation of the epic war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, now brought to life with artificial-intelligence-driven visuals and production methods. According to reports, the series is produced by JioStar and Collective Media Network and comprises 100 episodes. It premiered on the OTT platform JioCinema (formerly Jio Hotstar) on October 25, 2025, followed by a television broadcast on Star Plus from October 26 at 7:30 PM.
The makers say they’ve used advanced AI tools for visuals, scenery, and effects—while human actors, voice artists, and directors still perform the core dramatic roles.
What’s Different About Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh?
Unlike previous televised versions of the epic (such as the 1988 series), this version emphasises the fusion of heritage and technology. According to a press note, “the mythological series serves as testament to how an epic as timeless as the Mahabharat can be reimagined for a new era of viewers using artificial intelligence…”
The AI-driven production reportedly reduced the cost of production by around 50-70% by automating segments of visual creation and environment design. However, the show has already sparked controversy: social media users noted modern elements (like a contemporary bedside table) in scenes set in ancient Hastinapur, leading to a wave of memes and criticism.
Will AI replace your favourite actors?
One of the major questions raised by the launch of Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is whether AI-based production threatens actors, voice artists, and other creative professionals. In interviews, the producers emphasise that AI is a tool, not a replacement: human voice artists and performers remain central to the drama.
That said, the ease of using AI to generate visuals and manipulate imagery does raise concerns. For example, Performers might face roles being generated or replaced via AI avatars rather than live performance.
The once-distinctive “presence” of live actors may shrink if audiences become accustomed to AI-facilitated productions.
But industry voices argue the opposite: AI can expand opportunities by enabling more productions, creating roles for AI-trainers, “prompt engineers”, visual-artists, and voice-actors to collaborate.
According to the interview,
“AI doesn’t kill roles, it reshapes them.”
In short, instead of asking if AI will replace actors, the more productive question may be how actors will adapt and evolve in a world where AI augments storytelling.
What does this mean for the future of narrative?
Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is a landmark because it underscores a shift—not just in mythological storytelling, but in production paradigms. When a deeply rooted cultural narrative is remade using state-of-the-art AI, it forces us to think about authenticity, labour, and creative value in new ways.
For creators and viewers:
Expect more projects where visual design and environment come from AI-driven systems.
But trust and emotional connection may still rest in the human performance layer.
The backlash (or humour) triggered by “modern furniture in a mythological series” highlights how discerning creators and audiences have become about visual integrity.
The bottom line
Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is not just a new version of a legendary story; it’s also a test case of how AI and human creativity intersect. For actors worried about being replaced, the message is: evolve. Your craft still matters, perhaps even more, in guiding and embodying stories when technology enables a wider canvas.
Stay tuned to The ScreenLight for information on more such movies and TV shows.
