Hanooman AI Brings Easy Chat to India
MUMBAI — Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare (SML) launched its "Hanooman" series of AI models on March 10, 2025, in Mumbai. These tools speak 22 Indian languages and aim to make tech simple for millions. The goal is to help people in healthcare, schools, banks, and government by using AI that understands their local tongues.
A Big Step for India’s Tech
SML teamed up with IIT Bombay and other top schools to build Hanooman. It’s part of the BharatGPT project, backed by Reliance Industries and the Department of Science and Technology. The AI can chat in 11 Indian languages now, like Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi. Soon, it will cover all 22 official languages. This makes it a game-changer for a country with so many dialects.
Why does this matter? Over 80% of Indians don’t speak English well. Hanooman bridges that gap. It’s not just a chatbot—it can make text, speech, and videos. Think of a farmer getting crop tips in Telugu or a doctor explaining care in Bengali. The models range from 1.5 billion to 40 billion parameters, showing their power. SML plans to share the first four models for free next month, letting others build on them.
How Hanooman Works
Hanooman isn’t your average AI. It’s multimodal, meaning it handles more than just words. It can turn text into speech or video, and back again. This opens doors in four big areas: healthcare, governance, financial services, and education. For example, VizzhyGPT, a special healthcare version, uses medical data to help doctors and patients talk better.
The team faced hurdles, though. “Finding good data in Indian languages is tough,” said Vishnu Vardhan, SML’s founder. “We often use translated datasets, which can miss the mark.” Still, they’re pushing forward. SML is already talking to banks, health groups, and app makers to tweak Hanooman for their needs. It’s a bold move to fit AI into India’s diverse life.
SML’s roots in healthcare give it a head start. It knows how to solve real problems—like helping rural kids with homework or cutting doctor paperwork. The AI could soon summarize talks or answer questions in local dialects. With partners like NASSCOM and Yotta, SML has the muscle to make Hanooman big.
India’s AI Future
This launch isn’t just about one company. It’s a sign of India’s tech rise. Other countries have ChatGPT, but Hanooman fits India’s unique mix of languages and needs. It’s a step toward what experts call “inclusive AI.” Startups and giants alike are watching. Could this spark more homegrown tech?
The timing is perfect. India’s government wants AI to boost services, but language barriers slow things down. Hanooman could fix that. Imagine government forms in Gujarati or bank loans explained in Kannada. It’s not perfect yet—data quality needs work, and rural internet lags. But the potential is huge.
Analysts see a ripple effect. If Hanooman succeeds, it might pull more investment into Indian AI. Big players like Reliance could double down, while small firms jump in. It’s also a win for culture—keeping local languages alive in a digital world. “This could change how we connect,” Vardhan added, hinting at a future where tech speaks everyone’s language.
What’s Next for Hanooman
SML has a plan. First, it’ll roll out those free models in April 2025. Developers can play with them, building apps for schools or clinics. Then, SML wants closed versions for businesses—think cheap, fast tools for specific jobs. States like Telangana and Tamil Nadu already show interest. They see Hanooman as a way to reach more people.
The long game? Hit 200 million users in a year. That’s bold, but doable—80% of India’s 1.4 billion people could use it. Success hinges on fixing data gaps and spreading internet access. If it works, Hanooman could lead India’s AI boom. It might even go global, taking Indian languages to the world.
This isn’t just tech news. It’s about making life easier for millions. From a Mumbai coder to a Kerala nurse, Hanooman could touch them all. The launch is just the start. Watch this space—India’s AI story is heating up.