For Indian financial services enterprises, the journey into Generative AI typically starts with an Azure or OpenAI API key. However, as digital-first banking and high-velocity fintech push request volumes toward millions per day, the "rental" model of managed APIs begins to clash with the economic and regulatory reality of "owning" the infrastructure. In India, this shift is driven by more than just cost; it is about data residency (DPDP Act compliance) and handling the mas