As artificial intelligence increasingly enters film production, actor Ranbir Kapoor believes technology can strengthen cinema but cannot recreate the human creativity and emotion at its heart.
Speaking to BBC News while promoting his upcoming film ‘Ramayana’, Ranbir compared AI with visual effects and camera lenses, describing it as another tool that filmmakers can use to improve their work.
“Art is always more personal when there is a human touch to it. I think AI like VFX or camera lenses, can be used as a tool to better your filmmaking. But from the medium we come from – of storytelling, of art, of performing art – I don’t think AI can ever replace that,” he said.
Actor Yash, who plays Ravana in ‘Ramayana’, shared a similar view and urged filmmakers to approach the technology responsibly.
“We have to be responsible enough to understand that humans are involved in it, and we need to be very cautious in where all we apply this technology,” Yash said.
He added that people would continue to find creative ideas and solutions that machines might struggle to produce.
The comments come as the film industry debates AI’s growing role in production, particularly in visual effects and other technical aspects of filmmaking. The technology has also drawn attention in connection with ‘Ramayana’, whose teaser and large-scale visual effects have prompted discussion among audiences.
Ranbir and Yash are currently promoting Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the Indian epic, produced by Namit Malhotra. Ranbir plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana.
The cast also features Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Arun Govil as Dasarath and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. Indira Krishnan plays Kaushalya, while Sonal Jha appears as Sumitra.
The first instalment is scheduled to reach cinemas on 5 November 2026 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The second part is expected in 2027.
The film has attracted attention for its reported budget of around Rs 4,000 crore and its music, composed by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman.
