16 August,2026 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Garvit Bhardwaj
Studio Eeksaurus’s award-winning short film Tokri is made entirely with clay. PIC/YOUTUBE @shortoftheweek
I want AI to do laundry and dishes so that I can do art and writing, not for AI to do art and writing so that I can do my laundry and dishes." This viral quote on social media has resonated with millions. At a time when AI-generated images, films, writing, and design are everywhere, here are four Indian studios and creative spaces that support artistes who continue to put people before prompts.
Social issues are at the core of Eeksaurus, a Mumbai-based animation studio founded by Suresh Eriyat in 2009. Known for stories centred on ordinary people and its distinctive animation style, the studio brings a strong human touch to its work. Its award-winning short film Tokri, made entirely with clay, is a testament to its creative approach.
Started in 2014 by Sumit Kumar as a webcomic platform, Bakarmax has has never shied away from unconventional and socially relevant topics. Webcomics such as Dalit Card, Phaansi Bros and Jhole Wali Didi showcase the intersection of animation, creativity and social awareness.
Started by Sushil Shukla in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, in 2016, Ektara Publications aims to revolutionise children's fiction, with contributions from writers such as Gulzar, Varun Grover, and Vinod Kumar Shukla. Ektara's illustrator Habib Ali says, "Every artiste puts their own effort and experience into their work. That human touch is what brings life to art, something AI can never truly replicate."
Started by husband-and-wife duo Pratheek Thomas and Tina Thomas in 2014, Kokaachi is known for its distinctive, raw animation style inspired by the comics they grew up reading. The studio has worked on projects including Pippa, a biographical war film set during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
