From Filmmaker to Futurist: The Unlikely Flight Path of Marut Drones

When Prem Kumar Vislawath first lifted a drone into the sky, it wasn’t to map farmland or deliver aid—it was to capture cinematic shots for films. A creative mind with a storyteller’s soul, Prem never imagined that one day, that same drone would become a lifeline in flood zones, a tool in farmers’ hands, and a catalyst for rural women’s empowerment.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Born from a deeply personal mission to combat dengue outbreaks in his parents’ neighborhood in Hyderabad, Marut Drones has since become one of India’s most transformative drone startups—bringing high-tech solutions to some of the country’s most deep-rooted problems in agriculture, public health, and disaster response.

“I wasn’t looking to start a tech company,” Prem recalls with a smile. “I just wanted to solve a problem in my backyard. But that one idea kept growing wings.”

The Origin: Drones vs. Dengue

Back in 2016–17, Hyderabad was battling a severe dengue crisis, with over 20,000 reported cases. Civic workers struggled to spray larvicides in inaccessible water bodies, and Prem—frustrated by the inefficiency—decided to try something unconventional. Drawing from his experience in aerial filming, he rigged a drone for spraying operations.

The results were stunning.

“Within a year, dengue cases in the target areas dropped drastically—to under 1,500,” he shares. “That’s when I knew drones weren’t just cool gadgets. They could save lives.”

And just like that, a new purpose took flight. Marut Drones was officially founded in 2019.

Scaling Vision with Certification

Today, Marut Drones is a DGCA-certified drone manufacturer and a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO)—a rare dual distinction that anchors both their credibility and capability.

Their flagship agricultural drone, the AG-365S, is fully subsidy-eligible under government schemes, making high-tech farming more accessible. Meanwhile, Marut’s RPTO status allows them to train thousands of drone pilots—especially youth and women in rural areas.

“This isn’t just about machines in the air,” Prem explains. “It’s about building an ecosystem—technology, training, trust.”

Changing the Way India Farms

In a country where over 85% of farmers own less than 2 hectares of land, buying high-end equipment isn’t feasible. Marut’s response? A Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model that brings the tech to farmers for just ₹500 per acre.

“Why should a farmer worry about capital investment or technical skills?” Prem asks. “Our team brings the drone, flies it, finishes the job—and the farmer sees better yields and lower costs.”

From pesticide spraying and direct seeding to crop diagnostics and fertigation, Marut’s drones are now silent companions across hundreds of thousands of acres. Armed with AI, multispectral sensors, and real-time analytics, they’re making precision agriculture a grassroots reality.

Beyond Farms: Public Sector, Women Empowerment & Mineral Discovery

What makes Marut unique is its ambition to apply drones beyond just agriculture.

• In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Marut partnered with IFFCO to roll out DaaS on over 5 lakh acres, empowering rural drone entrepreneurs.
• Under a government initiative led by Prime Minister Modi, 150 AG365 drones were distributed to Self-Help Group women in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh—sparking a wave of women-led agri-businesses.
• During floods in Vijayawada, their drones delivered over 200 relief packets per hour, reaching 25,000+ people.
• With NMDC Ltd., they’ve even created drones for mineral exploration, targeting rare elements like lithium and REEs.

“There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing a woman in a sari piloting a drone across a paddy field,” Prem says. “That’s the future we’re building.”

Tech with a Human Touch

Behind the hardware lies a constant hunger for innovation. Marut’s team works closely with agricultural universities and R&D labs to co-develop solutions tailored to India’s climate and crop patterns.

“Every region has its own rhythm,” says Prem. “Our drones must listen to the land.”

They’re currently developing next-gen drones for seed broadcasting, crop-specific diagnostics, and fertigation—always with the end-user in mind.

Training India’s Skyforce

With the NAMO Drone Didi initiative gaining momentum, Marut’s training programs have become the beating heart of its social impact.

In just six months, they’ve trained over 1,000 individuals—many of them women—who now earn up to ₹80,000/month by offering drone spraying services in their communities.

“It’s not just about a job,” Prem insists. “It’s about dignity, about being seen as a tech leader in your village.”

Universities, too, are coming onboard to embed drone tech in their curricula, supported by Marut’s RPTO framework.

Breaking Barriers, One District at a Time

Of course, the journey hasn’t been all smooth flying. Awareness gaps, upfront costs, and complex regulations still create headwinds.

To tackle this, Marut runs Drone Yatras—on-ground demo drives in villages, showing real-time drone benefits. Their partnerships with KRIBHCO and government agencies help farmers access subsidies, while customized training modules ensure inclusivity for smallholder and women farmers.

“The resistance melts away when people see the drone in action,” Prem notes. “Then, it’s not science fiction—it’s a solution.”

Policy, Progress, and Purpose

The Drone Rules 2021 brought much-needed clarity, but Prem believes India still needs to accelerate certification processes, offer more R&D grants, and strengthen support for local OEMs.

“We’ve come a long way, but to compete globally, India must back its drone startups with consistent policy support,” he urges.

Next Stop: Global Skies

With a roadmap that includes exports to Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, Marut Drones is preparing to take Indian innovation abroad—especially to nations facing similar agricultural and environmental challenges.

By 2026, Prem expects international business to become a key revenue driver. “The world doesn’t need one-size-fits-all drones,” he says. “They need rugged, real-world-tested solutions. That’s what we’ve built.”

Final Thoughts: From One Idea to a National Movement

From fighting mosquitoes in Hyderabad to mapping mines and transforming farmlands, Prem Kumar Vislawath’s journey is proof that impact-driven entrepreneurship can—and should—take flight.

“Drones are not just about flying,” he concludes. “They’re about lifting—people, communities, and the future of a nation.”

And as India continues to chart its course toward becoming a global drone hub, Marut Drones remain a shining example of how tech, when rooted in empathy and purpose, can truly soar.

– By Priyanka Chatterjee