The article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the filmmaking process in India — not by replacing human creators but by making film production faster and more efficient. Executives from Collective Artists Network, one of the earliest Indian companies to integrate AI in content creation, emphasise that AI is being used as a tool within traditional workflows rather than as a standalone replacement for filmmakers. They stress that directors, cinematographers, writers and crews are still front and centre in production, and AI’s role is to accelerate and scale output, not eliminate human involvement.
According to Rahul Regulapati, Partner at Collective and CEO of Galleri5, AI isn’t capable of instantly generating full movies from a script, and mainstream tools like ChatGPT or basic cloud apps aren’t sufficient for end-to-end cinematic creation. Instead, AI systems are being built into purpose-made infrastructure that supports cinema production — from planning visual effects to streamlining workflows — while still relying on human imagination and artistic judgment. Regulapati likens AI to “infrastructure,” reducing friction and enabling filmmakers to produce content much more quickly than before.
Industry leaders say this hybrid model could dramatically increase production pace. Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, noted that although hundreds of people still work on any given film, AI could shorten timelines so studios might produce many more projects per year compared with the traditional one-film-per-year cycle. This approach contrasts with fears that automation will destroy creative jobs; instead, AI is viewed as an enabler that expands creative possibilities while keeping core human roles intact.
The article also reflects broader industry sentiment that AI should augment human creativity rather than replace it, especially in storytelling and emotional expression — areas many believe remain uniquely human. Film professionals and artists are watching these developments closely, balancing excitement about productivity gains with concerns about preserving the authenticity of the craft and ensuring that AI supports rather than diminishes human artistry.
