By: Benjamin Jr
Award-winning Executive Producer, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of Starseed Studios, Reema Bhagchandani has spent nearly two decades crafting emotionally resonant narratives that sit at the intersection of art, technology, and cultural intelligence. With over 50 global productions under her belt—including format giants like Big Brother, Fear Factor, and Next Top Model—she’s led successful shows for Netflix, MTV, Paramount, and Fortune 500 brands.
Her latest chapter may be the most transformative yet.
“After years of leading major productions, I felt the urge to learn again,” Reema shares. “That drive for personal growth led me to California, where I earned my MBA in Marketing from Westcliff University, graduating with honors in 2024.”
It was during this period of reflection and reinvention that the seeds for her next venture were planted.
Starseed Studios: Where AI, AR, and VR Converge
Graduating with honors and a reignited creative drive, Reema channeled her experience into co-founding Starseed Studios in Los Angeles—built to pioneer the next era of storytelling. The studio brings together Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) to create storytelling experiences that aren’t just watched, but deeply felt, fully lived, and long remembered.
Reema unpacks her journey and how storytelling, cultural insight, and emerging tech are converging to redefine how we build stories that spark conversation, connection, and change.
From Broadcast to Building an AR Game
When a major brand approached Starseed Studios (under NDA) to design a high-impact activation for a youth audience, the brief was ambitious: create an augmented reality game that could capture the brand’s essence while resonating with Gen Z at scale.
For Reema, it marked a turning point.
“I had never built an AR game before,” she shares. “But what I’ve always known—whether producing global TV formats or branded content—is that emotion and storytelling drive everything. Once you understand human psychology, you can translate that into any medium.”
Rather than being intimidated by the new format, she dove deep into research and intuitive gameplay mechanics. What started as a technical challenge soon became a creative breakthrough—a chance to reimagine what narrative could feel like in a gamified, augmented world.
With over 691 million downloads, a peak of 323 million active users, and $7.5 billion in lifetime revenue, Pokémon Go became a global benchmark for what mobile-first AR gaming could achieve. The game’s massive adoption demonstrated that augmented reality doesn’t require expensive headsets or advanced gear to make an impact—just a compelling experience that people want to return to. Notably, India alone accounted for more than 50 million downloads, ranking third globally. This highlighted not only the demand in mobile-first markets, but also the cultural appetite for immersive, socially shared experiences.
“Pokémon Go showed us that you don’t need fancy headsets or expensive gear to make people care,” Reema explains. “What you need is emotional connection, intuitive interactivity, and a reason to return.”
Partnering with AR Legends: Expedition Games
To bring the vision to life, Starseed partnered with Barcelona-based Expedition Games, led by AR pioneer Dani Sánchez-Crespo—who brings over 20 years of experience in augmented reality, with a track record that includes groundbreaking work at Sony, Niantic, and beyond.
“AR offers a level of immersion that classic video games can’t compete with. When gameplay invades our world, the distinction between reality and fiction blurs—and that is extremely cool.” – Dani Sánchez-Crespo, Founder of Expedition Games.
Photo Courtesy: Dani Sánchez-Crespo
Immersive, Disruptive Storytelling in Action
For Starseed Studios, this wasn’t just a game—it was a defining moment. A chance to challenge how stories are told and experienced. Collaborating with Dani and the Expedition team brought the project to life in ways we could never have imagined—fusing bold storytelling with intuitive game mechanics, and turning a brand brief into an unforgettable experience.
“With over 3.3 billion players globally, gaming is fast becoming one of the most powerful platforms for meaningful storytelling,” says Alexandra Stone, Co-Founder of Starseed Studios. “We’re stepping into a future where play and purpose unite to create experiences that truly move people — and it’s inspiring to be at the forefront with Reema.”
Starseed’s mission is simple but ambitious:
Immersive – Using AR, VR, and AI to transport users into emotionally rich experiences
Disruptive – Breaking mental patterns and sparking deeper emotional impact
Storytelling – Always rooted in truth, resonance, and heart
Photo Courtesy: Muita Muthee
Shaping the Future
As AI, AR, and VR accelerate, studios like Starseed sit at the edge of cultural and commercial innovation. Success now pivots on vision, agility, and emotional intelligence—not just scale.
Starseed Studios is leading that charge—using immersive tools not just to tell stories, but to build experiences that shift perspectives, spark dialogue, and expand what’s possible. Their slate proves the future of storytelling is immersive—shaped by creators bold enough to disrupt, brave enough to reimagine.
“In a world where algorithms often outpace authenticity, Starseed Studios reminds us that the most powerful tech still begins with a story—and the courage to tell it differently.”
