Mumbai – Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming India’s film industry, offering filmmakers new tools for storytelling while raising questions about ethics, creativity, and regulation.
Filmmaker Vivek Anchalia turned to AI when traditional studios rejected his latest project. Using ChatGPT for story development and Midjourney to generate visuals, Anchalia produced the romantic film Naisha in just over a year. The AI-assisted workflow allowed him to complete 95 percent of the 75-minute film on a fraction of a typical Bollywood budget. The computer-generated lead character even secured a brand endorsement in Hyderabad, highlighting the commercial potential of AI in the industry.
AI is being adopted across multiple facets of Indian filmmaking. Directors are using it to de-age veteran actors, pre-visualize complex scenes, and experiment with post-production effects. Malayalam filmmaker Jithin Laal used AI to visualize a complicated lock system in his blockbuster Ajayante Randam Moshanam, while Arun Chandu relied on Stable Diffusion to produce post-apocalyptic sequences in his low-budget sci-fi Gaganachari. Sound designers have also embraced AI, employing tools that generate and manipulate audio quickly, reducing the need for studio bookings.
Despite these efficiencies, experts warn that AI has limitations. Many filmmakers note that AI cannot replicate human intuition, emotional depth, or cultural nuance. Tamil director Guhan Senniappan found AI struggled with mythological references, while Kannada filmmaker MG Srinivas had to adjust regional phonetic models to accurately clone an actor’s voice. AI-generated alterations of classic films have sparked debate over artistic integrity, such as a Tamil re-release of Raanjhanaa with its tragic ending rewritten by AI without the original director’s consent.
Legal experts also caution that India lacks clear regulations for AI use in cinema. While performers’ rights are protected for live and recorded work, AI-generated likenesses and voices fall into a grey area, creating risks of misuse. Posthumous AI recreations, like the voices of Satyajit Ray and Uttam Kumar in recent Bengali films, have relied on informal family permissions due to the absence of statutory protections.
Still, many industry figures see AI as a creative partner rather than a threat. Anchalia describes AI as democratizing filmmaking, allowing independent creators to produce movies without studio backing. Srijit Mukherji, who used AI to recreate deceased actors’ voices, emphasizes the need for human oversight, from scriptwriting to legal clearances.
AI’s growing presence is prompting Indian filmmakers to balance innovation with cultural fidelity. While AI accelerates production and reduces costs, human expertise remains essential to maintain emotional resonance, visual authenticity, and ethical standards. Educators like Chandu are now teaching students to compare AI-assisted and traditional filmmaking to understand the strengths and limits of both approaches.
As India embraces AI in cinema, the industry faces a critical task: harnessing technology to expand creative possibilities without compromising artistry, authenticity, or legal safeguards.
