3-July-2026, National: Air India Express today announced ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’ – a definitive six-episode documentary series that serves as a profound exploration of heritage, resilience, and the symbiotic bond between India’s indigenous communities and their ancestral lands.
Continuing to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage with impactful storytelling, the docuseries, produced in collaboration with Edstead and Dentsu Sports and Entertainment, journeys through Northeast India to showcase powerful stories of heritage, resilience, identity, and the enduring relationship between communities and the land they call home.
Premiering on JioHotstar on 3 July 2026, ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’ follows acclaimed actor Adarsh Gourav as he journeys across the lives, traditions, and oral histories of indigenous communities in Northeast India, including the Angami of Nagaland, the Biate and Mising of Assam, the Khasi of Meghalaya, and the Sherdukpen of Arunachal Pradesh. Through music, folklore, craftsmanship, and everyday experiences, the series brings to light narratives that have long flourished within these communities and now find a wider audience.
Air India Express has made culture as integral to the brand as connectivity. With its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, the airline has consistently celebrated art and heritage with impactful platforms across travel, literature, art, festivals, and storytelling. From its signature aircraft tail art, featuring indigenous art and regional crafts and textiles to partnerships with the Hornbill Festival, the ‘Tales of India Literary Award’, the unique Flying Canvas aeroplane, and now ‘Voices of the Land: Tales of Northeast’, the airline connects travellers not just with destinations, but also with the stories, traditions, and people that define them.
Northeast India finds proud representation across the airline’s fleet liveries, through weaving traditions and patterns such as Tsüngkotepsü from Nagaland, Akyobi, Saphee Lanphee and Moirang Phee from Manipur, Gamosa and Jaapi from Assam, Khneng from Meghalaya, and Puanchei from Mizoram, celebrating the spirit of India in flight.
Speaking on the collaboration, Siddhartha Butalia, Chief Marketing Officer, Air India Express, said, “Travel, at its inherent best, is transformative, offering the opportunity to discover, experience and reshape our worldview. The regions of Northeast India hold some of the most profound stories of our time – narratives of heritage, harmony and the intrinsic bond between indigenous peoples and their land. Our docuseries, ‘Voices of the Land’ offers more than a window into these lives; it serves as a bridge and an invitation to look beyond the frenetic horizons of the familiar to the enduring wisdom of communities that have lived with their environment in harmony for generations.”
Reflecting on his journey through Northeast India for the series, actor Adarsh Gourav said, “Voices of the Land has been one of the most eye-opening experiences for me as a storyteller. I was constantly in awe of the knowledge these communities had of their surroundings; the plants, the animals, and everything the land provides. The series feels especially meaningful because it’s not just about protecting nature, but also preserving the traditions and wisdom of people who have lived in harmony with it for generations. I’m grateful to be part of this documentary and help bring these stories and voices to a larger audience.”
Speaking about the vision behind the series, Simantini Ghosh, National Head – Dentsu Sports and Entertainment India, said “At Dentsu Sports and Entertainment, we believe the most powerful stories are often the ones waiting to be heard. The insight behind Voices of the Land emerged from the intersection of culture and connectivity – the understanding that while India is home to extraordinary indigenous traditions and wisdom, many of these stories remain beyond the reach of mainstream audiences. Air India Express, through its strong network and deep connection to the Northeast, became a natural enabler of this vision, helping bridge distances and bring us closer to communities whose voices deserve a wider platform. We are deeply grateful to Air India Express for their faith in our vision and partnership in making these journeys possible, and to Edstead for bringing the series to life with exceptional craft, sensitivity, and cinematic excellence. Voices of the Land is a reflection of how Dentsu Sports and Entertainment continues to redefine storytelling—creating culturally relevant narratives that move beyond conventional formats to spark deeper connections, celebrate diverse perspectives, and resonate with audiences in meaningful ways.”
Sharing his experience from the shoot, Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Founder at Edstead, said, “This series is our attempt to celebrate voices that deserve to be heard more widely. The region’s landscapes and cultural richness add a rare depth to the storytelling. We’re also delighted to collaborate with Adarsh Gourav, his curiosity, authenticity, and natural ease with people made him the perfect fit for this journey.”
Air India Express continues to strengthen connectivity to and from the Northeast, operating over 290 weekly flights from Agartala, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati, and Imphal. Reinforcing its commitment to the region, the airline recently announced the first-ever direct flights connecting Northeast India with West Asia, with services from Guwahati to Abu Dhabi and Dubai commencing this August. As connectivity expands, Air India Express continues to complement its growing network with initiatives that celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage and inspire more travellers to discover its people, traditions, and destinations.
About Air India Express
Air India Express is A Tata Enterprise, operating over 500 daily flights that connect 43 domestic and 16 international destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. As India’s most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India – warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.
With thoughtfully curated touches – from ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits for over 22 million members, Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality.
