02/09/2026
King Mahabali came back for Onam this year. Just not the way anyone expected.
Forum Kochi brought an AI powered humanoid robot dressed as Maveli to celebrate Onam and the internet completely lost it. Dancing to festive beats, greeting shoppers, dressed in the full orange dhoti and golden ornaments, Robo Maveli was everything and then some.
The Economic Times, The Times of India, Aaj Tak, India Today and several other major news channels picked it up. Turns out when tradition meets technology at a mall, the whole country pays attention.
Can’t say we are surprised.