Receiving the “Create with AI” recognition from YouTube and IICT, presented by Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, was a special moment in my filmmaking journey.
Standing on that stage at the YouTube Impact Summit in New Delhi on 29 September 2026, I thought about the people and the work behind Chekavar. A photograph captures the presentation. For me, it also holds the conversations, experiments, difficult shots and countless decisions that brought us there.
One of four studios. Our own story to tell.
Avium Studios was one of four studios selected for the “Create with AI” programme. The participating studios were:
- Avium Studios
- Eleventh Door Studio
- Karthik Kult Kreations
- Kalpanik Films LLP
Being part of that group gave us the opportunity to explore how emerging tools could become part of our filmmaking process. Meet the participating studios in IICT’s updates.
Our journey took shape through Chekavar, which I wrote and directed with Avium Studios and Garuda X Media. Set against the Battle of Colachel in 1741, the film gave us a historical world to imagine and a fictional story to bring to life.
The people behind the moment.
Throughout the process, I kept returning to the same questions: Does this moment feel believable? Does the image serve the story? Will the audience feel something?
Working with AI brought new possibilities and new challenges. It also reminded me how much filmmaking depends on judgment, patience and the people beside you.
This recognition belongs to both our teams. I am grateful to everyone at Avium Studios and Garuda X Media who trusted the vision and helped turn it into a film.
My sincere thanks to YouTube and IICT for the opportunity, and to Dr. L. Murugan for presenting the recognition.
I leave this moment grateful, proud of our team and eager to keep making films.
— Gijo Uthuppu
