An ambitious new entertainment franchise set in ancient India, titled “Bharatvarsha / The Age of Bharat,” has been unveiled, aiming to launch its first AAA fantasy video game by late 2026. The venture is spearheaded by Tara Gaming Limited, an Indian studio, and brings together bestselling author Amish Tripathi and veteran game producer Nouredine Abboud. Actor Amitabh Bachchan has also joined as a co-founder of Tara Gaming.
Game Concept and Storyline of The Age of Bharat
The franchise’s core is an “Indian epic action adventure game” described as a dark fantasy action RPG that vividly portrays ancient India. It seeks to propel India onto the global gaming map by merging its creative capital with AAA production capabilities. The project aims to fill a gap in AAA gaming landscapes that spotlight Indic heritage. The game, known as “The Age of Bhaarat,” is set in ancient India, drawing upon epics, folklore, and traditions. Players will assume the role of a powerful Forest Warden of Anandpur tasked with defending their homeland against a devastating invasion by vicious demons, the Rakshasas.
One great thing we at TechGenyz have noticed about the game is the character designs. The monsters that the Forest Warden fights have a truly unique design style that reflects the cultural origins of the game. We also got to see some stunning landscapes inspired by timeless sagas like the Ramayan, including devastated forests, treacherous mountain peaks, and mystical lakes. The world seems to be built on similar lines to the Indian epics we once heard and read of in our old storybooks and films like Ramayan.
Key Players Behind the Project
In a similar vein to George R.R. Martin aiding the story development for Elden Ring, Bestselling author of the Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra series, Amish Tripathi, weaves the game’s narrative, focusing on duty, betrayal, and ancient power. Player choices are expected to impact the fate of both the protagonist and the world. Tripathi believes gaming’s deep storytelling potential, even bigger than movies, makes it the ideal medium to explore the world of ancient India. Beyond the initial game, the franchise has plans to expand into films, TV series, and merchandise. Tara Gaming’s vision is to empower Indian storytellers and bridge the gap between culturally rooted stories and cutting-edge game development.
The founding team brings together diverse expertise. Amish Tripathi leads narrative development. Nouredine Abboud, with 20 years of gaming industry experience, including with Ubisoft and credits like Ghost Recon Wildlands, contributes his veteran game production knowledge. Amitabh Bachchan’s participation is seen as bringing invaluable understanding of Indian culture and storytelling. Former Indian politician Jayant Sinha is also part of the founding team, providing business expertise.
Tulsea, a Mumbai-based talent agency, is partnering to advise on talent acquisition and strategic partnerships, with CEO Datta Dave noting that Bharatvarsha will showcase the mainstream potential of Indian stories and serve as a gateway to India’s rich mythology for a global audience. Former McKinsey consultant and technology entrepreneur Sumit Jamuar serves as a board advisor.
Team Expansion
Tara Gaming has already built a team of 100 developers across global offices in Paris, Montreal, and soon Mumbai and the Middle East. They aim to capitalise on India’s rapidly expanding economy and the growing digital entertainment industry. Abboud expressed eagerness for global gamers to experience the immersive world being crafted. Sinha described Bharatvarsha as an “incredible cultural universe” with compelling characters and unique narrative depth. Bachchan stated his co-founding role is an extension of his commitment to storytelling, seeing gaming as where stories come alive for the next generation with a uniquely Indian lens. Tripathi is honoured by Bachchan’s involvement, citing his unmatched understanding of Indian heritage and the strength he adds to their journey.
Prepare to enter #TheAgeofBhaarat, an action-RPG steeped in India’s rich history. Become a Forest Warden, master mystical weapons, and repel the demonic Rakshasas.
Wishlist now on:
Steam: https://t.co/uUq7RmC6Ms
Epic: https://t.co/sxwdPHeeg4 pic.twitter.com/WZe9r5kgq5— The Age Of Bhaarat (@TheAgeOfBhaarat) May 1, 2025
Challenges and Industry Concerns
The Age of Bharat might grow to be a great game that might lay seeds for a much bigger franchise, however, it also faces several challenges. Indian game developers have had a bad history when it comes to breaking out of the mobile gaming shell. Any ambitious projects that Indian game developers have attempted to create till now have only resulted in failure. Games such as Prince of Persia: Remastered are a great example of this.
One of the major reasons why Indian developers have failed to create any success stories is the lack of financial support they receive. To imagine making an AAA game on a mobile game budget is not possible, and rightly so. The Age of Bharat may not share the same fate as it has some big names backing its development, however, the failures of the past are something that the developers need to be wary of.
