Google challenges Sora: Veo 3 AI video generation debuts in India

Google has officially launched its advanced AI video generation model, Veo 3, in India, making the cutting-edge technology accessible to a wider audience through its Gemini app.[1][2][3] The rollout places India among the key markets gaining access to Google's most sophisticated creative AI tools, signaling the tech giant's focus on one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies.[4] Initially unveiled at the Google I/O developer conference, Veo 3 is now available to Indian users who subscribe to the Google AI Pro plan, a move that is expected to significantly impact content creation, marketing, and various other creative industries across the country.[1][5][6] This expansion brings Google's direct competitor to models like OpenAI's Sora into the hands of Indian creators for the first time.[1]

Access to Veo 3 is bundled with the Google AI Pro subscription, which is priced at ₹1,950 per month in India.[2][7] This subscription was previously known as the Google One AI Premium plan and has been rebranded.[6][8] The plan includes a one-month free trial for new users.[7] Beyond just Veo 3, the AI Pro subscription offers a suite of premium features, including access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, the AI filmmaking application Flow, NotebookLM Plus for research and writing, and Gemini integration within Google Workspace apps like Docs and Gmail.[2][6][8] Subscribers also receive a substantial 2TB of cloud storage across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.[2][6] It's important for potential users to note that the AI Pro plan currently has a cap on video generation; subscribers can create up to ten 8-second videos, and at present, there are no options to purchase additional credits or reset this limit within the billing cycle.[6]

The capabilities of Veo 3 represent a significant leap in AI-driven content creation. The model allows users to generate realistic eight-second video clips at 720p resolution directly from text or image prompts.[1][9][7] A standout feature of Veo 3 is its native ability to generate synchronized audio, including synthesized speech, background music, and sound effects, which adds a layer of realism often missing in previous-generation tools.[10][11][12] This capability to produce both video and audio in a single pass is a key differentiator from many competitors.[13] Google has emphasized the model's proficiency in understanding complex prompts and cinematic language, allowing for control over shot composition and visual style.[12][4][14] The underlying technology excels at simulating real-world physics, maintaining character consistency across frames, and producing accurate lip-syncing for dialogue, making the output more believable and coherent.[1][5][13] To ensure responsible use, all AI-generated videos feature a visible watermark and an invisible SynthID digital watermark to clearly identify them as synthetic media.[10][15]

The introduction of Veo 3 in India is poised to disrupt the local creative landscape. For filmmakers, advertisers, educators, and social media influencers, the tool offers a way to produce high-quality video content quickly and affordably, without the need for expensive equipment, crews, or locations.[2][9][7] The ability to rapidly visualize ideas, create storyboards, or generate short promotional clips could democratize video production for small businesses and individual creators. India, with its massive consumption of video content on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, presents a fertile ground for such a tool.[4] The interest from Indian creators has reportedly been strong, particularly regarding the potential for accessible video production in multiple languages.[9] Google is also planning deeper integrations of Veo 3 into platforms like YouTube Shorts and the popular design tool Canva, which would further embed this technology into mainstream creative workflows.[9][6][7] As the AI revolution continues to unfold, the availability of powerful tools like Veo 3 in India will undoubtedly accelerate innovation and empower a new generation of digital storytellers.[4]