Imagine earning crores of rupees without actors, cameras, studios, or even a meaningful storyline. That is exactly what a YouTube channel called Bandar Apna Dost has reportedly achieved. In just a few months, the channel is said to have earned nearly Rs 38 crore, largely through videos created using artificial intelligence.
The story has stunned creators and audiences alike, while also igniting a larger debate about the future of content creation, the power of algorithms, and whether the internet is rewarding attention over originality.
What Is ‘Bandar Apna Dost’?
Bandar Apna Dost – a YouTube channel that recently got fame by uploading AI-generated videos
Bandar Apna Dost is a YouTube channel that uploads AI-generated videos featuring a cartoon-style monkey alongside a muscular, Hulk-like character. The videos are packed with exaggerated action, dramatic expressions, and repetitive visual patterns. The stories are minimal, often looping similar scenarios repeatedly, yet the videos continue to attract millions of views.
Despite their simplicity and lack of traditional storytelling, the content performs exceptionally well. This phenomenon highlights a growing category of online material often referred to as “AI slop”—low-effort, mass-produced videos generated using artificial intelligence tools such as automated animations, synthetic characters, and AI voiceovers.
The purpose of such content is not deep storytelling or meaningful entertainment. Instead, it is designed to grab attention instantly, hold viewers for as long as possible, and encourage repeated viewing.
Why Does This Content Work?
The success of channels like Bandar Apna Dost lies largely in how platforms like YouTube operate. YouTube’s algorithm prioritises watch time, clicks, engagement, and repeat views. It does not assess creativity, effort, or artistic value—only how effectively a video keeps users watching.
AI makes it easy to exploit this system. A single creator can generate dozens of videos a day at minimal cost. Even if each video earns only a small amount through advertising, the revenue adds quickly when view counts reach the millions. Scale, not skill, becomes the key to success.
This model explains how AI-driven channels can earn crores in a short period, often outperforming creators who spend years honing their craft.
The Growing Concerns
While the financial success may seem impressive, it raises serious concerns within the creator community. Traditional YouTubers invest time in scripting, filming, editing, and building a personal connection with audiences. AI-generated channels, by contrast, can flood the platform with repetitive content and still win the algorithm game.
There are also worries about audience impact—especially on children. Bright colours, exaggerated action, and endless loops of similar visuals can be addictive, even if they offer little educational or emotional value. Critics argue that such content prioritises stimulation over substance.
YouTube’s Take on AI-Generated Content
So far, YouTube has not taken direct action against channels like Bandar Apna Dost. This is because AI-generated videos do not automatically violate the platform’s policies. According to YouTube’s monetisation guidelines, content is eligible for ad revenue as long as it follows community rules and avoids misinformation, harmful material, or outright spam.
However, YouTube has acknowledged concerns about mass-produced, repetitive, and low-quality content. Its policies allow the platform to demonetise or limit the reach of videos that appear misleading or designed purely to manipulate the algorithm.
In recent updates, YouTube has also announced plans to introduce AI content disclosure requirements, asking creators to label videos that are fully or heavily generated using artificial intelligence. The aim is to improve transparency, especially for viewers who may not realize that the characters, voices, or scenes they are watching are entirely synthetic.
Still, enforcement remains inconsistent. Critics point out that if such videos deliver engagement, they continue to be recommended—regardless of their creative depth.
A Warning Sign for the Internet
The rise of Bandar Apna Dost is more than just a viral success story. It is a clear signal of how powerful—and potentially risky—generative AI has become in the digital economy. It shows that attention is now more valuable than originality, and volume often matters more than skill.
As AI tools become cheaper and more accessible, this type of content is likely to grow. The key question is whether platforms like YouTube will intervene to balance creativity with clicks or allow AI-generated junk content to dominate screens.
The Rs 38 crore story is not just about one YouTube channel. It is a warning about how quickly the internet is changing—and how easily technology can exploit systems built to reward attention.
