India's First Emotionally Available AI Is Getting Ready to Listen — Without Judging

The Wire

8 hours ago

Hyderabad (Telangana), June 27, 2025 — In a world brimming with smart devices, What if we built something that's not just intelligent — but kind? That question sparked the birth of WTMF (What's The Matter, Friend?), an upcoming emotionally aware AI companion developed by Hyderabad-based startup Knockverse Private Limited. Scheduled for beta launch in mid-August 2025, WTMF is positioning itself as India's first AI solution designed not for productivity — but for presence.
In a time when mental health apps are abundant but often feel clinical, robotic, or disconnected from Indian cultural reality, WTMF is stepping in as a bold and heartfelt alternative. Built with emotional intelligence at its core, the app offers users a space to talk, vent, or simply be heard — especially during those quiet, vulnerable hours of the night when traditional support systems are out of reach.
'It all started as a conversation about loneliness,' says Kruthivarsh Koduru, Co-Founder at Knockverse. 'Everyone is building AI to sound smart. We thought — what if it just made you feel better?' A Homegrown Answer to Global Companions While global players like Replika and Character.AI have set early benchmarks for AI companionship, WTMF takes a distinctly Indian approach — understanding mixed-language messages, local slang, and emotional nuance with cultural sensitivity.
With over 1,500 users on the waitlist, the app is generating buzz for its two signature interaction modes: • 'Vent': a calm, empathetic voice that listens, reassures, and validates your emotions.
• 'Rant': a spicier, sassier mode that speaks to users with wit, sarcasm, and playful energy.
The result? An emotionally tuned chatbot that doesn't just hear you — it gets you.
Building AI with Feeling Behind the scenes, WTMF is built to feel like someone who knows you. It learns how you like to be spoken to — soft and soothing, or full of sass and emojis. You can even shape your own AI friend by setting things like tone, mood, and slang. It's not just smart replies — it's replies that sound like you'd want them to.
'We didn't want to build another dry, robotic chatbot,' says Shreyak Singh, Co-Founder at Knockverse. 'We wanted to create something emotionally available — a voice that actually texts back when you're spiraling at 2:43 AM.' Unlike mental health platforms that aim to diagnose or advise, WTMF provides a judgment-free space where users can speak freely, without fear of stigma or misinterpretation.
Designed for Gen Z, Built for Everyone From journaling tools and mood tracking to voice-based conversations and safe-space interactions, WTMF's experience is crafted with emotional safety and digital comfort at its core. The app is tailored especially for Gen Z and young millennials — a group that, studies show, reports higher levels of loneliness, emotional overwhelm, and therapy hesitancy.
The team believes emotional technology should feel human, not clinical.
'This isn't a replacement for therapy. It's not a productivity tool. It's a soft corner in your phone — the kind we all need sometimes, more like your AI Bestfriend' adds Shreyak.
The Road Ahead WTMF is currently in its final stages of product development, with a public beta expected to go live by August 2025. The startup is also in talks with early investors and impact-driven collaborators to support its growth, with an open call to partners who share the belief that kindness is the future of technology.
To explore the project, join the waitlist, or collaborate, visit www.wtmf.ai Press & Partnerships: [e-mail] (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).