Vishal Bhardwaj and Shaunak Sen join new film fund initiative supporting independent cinema

What are the vital ingredients an aspiring filmmaker needs when they have a story to tell but no outlet? Beyond a script, they need financial stability, production expertise, and industry access. Addressing this gap, Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures have launched a landmark feature film co-production fund of Rs 40,00,000 designed to back an emerging filmmaker with a distinct voice and a clear vision. In a significant boost to the independent ecosystem, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes) and globally acclaimed auteur Vishal Bhardwaj have joined the initiative as mentors. Sen is also attached to the selected project as an Executive Producer. The high-profile jury for the fund includes actor Imran Khan, filmmaker Arati Kadav (Cargo, Mrs), producer Aman Mann (All That Breathes), and renowned author and festival director Aseem Chhabra. Harshit Bansal, Founder of Humans of Cinema, shared that the idea took shape when Nazim Momin of Safarnaama Pictures—...

Deepika Padukone becomes Meta AI’s first Indian voice, joins global roster including Awkwafina, Judi Dench and more!

Deepika Padukone has created history by becoming the first Indian to lend her voice to Meta AI, the virtual assistant integrated into Meta’s ecosystem, including the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, joining the list of the global lineup of voices for the AI assistant, including Hollywood celebrities Awkwafina, Judi Dench, etc. The collaboration marks a powerful intersection of technology and culture, positioning Deepika as a bridge between global innovation and Indian identity.

Meta announced that users in India will now be able to interact with Meta AI through Deepika’s voice, available in Indian English. Alongside this, the company introduced full Hindi language support and UPI Lite payments, making the experience more localised and personal. Yet, the biggest talking point remains Deepika’s voice — warm, poised, and unmistakably familiar.

Known for her global influence and grounded presence, Deepika brings authenticity and emotion to a space often dominated by synthetic tones. Her voice adds a human touch to artificial intelligence — turning digital interactions into something relatable and distinctly Indian. For millions of users, hearing Deepika guide them through tasks or respond to questions adds a sense of comfort and connection rarely found in technology.

This partnership also represents India’s growing significance in the global tech landscape. By featuring Deepika, Meta acknowledges India’s cultural power and linguistic diversity. The move goes beyond convenience — it celebrates representation and the inclusion of an Indian identity within a global product.

 

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For Deepika, this step expands her influence beyond cinema into the realm of digital innovation. It’s another milestone in a career defined by versatility, intelligence, and impact. With this collaboration, she becomes not just the voice of Meta AI — but the voice of a new era where technology feels a little more human, and a lot more Indian.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour work rule sparks debate: Hansal Mehta, Hema Malini, and Sharmila Tagore weigh in



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