Rs 38 crore from AI videos? This Indian YouTube channel is reshaping online content

New Delhi: An India-based YouTube channel has become a focal point in a growing global debate around artificial intelligence, creativity and monetised digital content. Bandar Apna Dost, a channel built almost entirely on AI-generated videos, has reportedly generated up to Rs 38 crore in annual revenue within just a few months of launching, underscoring how algorithm-driven content can scale rapidly on platforms such as YouTube.

The channel’s rise reflects the growing prevalence of what is often described as “AI slop,” content produced primarily to satisfy platform algorithms rather than to offer narrative depth or originality. While millions of viewers continue to scroll through the channel’s strange yet silent animations, industry observers and digital rights experts have raised concerns about the wider implications for independent creators and the quality of online ecosystems.

Bandar Apna Dost publishes short, illogical animated clips created using artificial intelligence. Most videos revolve around a cartoon rhesus monkey alongside muscular, exaggerated characters placed in chaotic or surreal situations. The clips typically contain no spoken language, no coherent storyline and little contextual meaning. Paradoxically, this lack of narrative structure appears to be central to the channel’s appeal, allowing the videos to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries with ease.

According to a global study conducted by video-editing platform Kapwing, the channel earns an estimated $4.25 million annually, translating to roughly Rs 35–38 crore. The channel has accumulated more than two billion views and several million subscribers in a relatively short period. Advertising revenue from YouTube forms the bulk of its earnings, supported by high watch-time retention. With production driven almost entirely by automated tools, costs remain minimal, significantly boosting profitability.

Kapwing’s analysis places Bandar Apna Dost at the forefront of a broader trend. The study identified at least 278 YouTube channels worldwide that consist largely of AI-generated videos designed for rapid consumption and repeated viewing. Collectively, these channels account for more than 63 billion views and over 200 million subscribers, signalling a shift in how attention is captured and monetised online.

As per the news report, Observers argue that such content thrives because it places little cognitive demand on viewers. Absurd visuals, exaggerated masculine imagery and the absence of dialogue make the videos easy to consume passively, encouraging prolonged scrolling. The shock value and novelty associated with AI-generated visuals further contribute to engagement, particularly among younger audiences.

The scale and speed of Bandar Apna Dost’s success have intensified concerns about the future of digital creativity. Critics warn that mass-produced AI content could increasingly crowd out creators who invest time, skill and originality into their work. At the same time, the channel’s financial performance illustrates how closely platform algorithms, automation and monetisation are now intertwined, raising difficult questions about what kind of creativity is rewarded in the evolving digital economy.