AI has Never Helped Low-Budget Indian Films

A movie is much more than just a collection of actors, directors, and scripts. At its core, filmmaking is driven by one key element – money. The budget defines the scale of a film, ranging from low to mid and high-end productions. However, in today’s evolving landscape, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping both the creative process and financial considerations.

For Kannada actor and filmmaker MG Srinivas, the integration of AI in cinema is a fascinating yet complex challenge.

In an exclusive interview with AIM, Srinivas explained, “Technology has never truly benefited low-budget films, to be honest. The reality is that technology comes at a cost, and when a film is low-budget, it often means working with almost no budget at all. In most cases, what we call low-budget filmmaking is essentially zero-budget filmmaking, and we’ve experienced that firsthand.”

He further noted that one can’t simply buy expensive technology. Instead, they have to find creative ways to work around it. 

“Despite these challenges, I still believe that traditional filmmaking is powerful enough to stand its ground against AI. It has immense potential to achieve remarkable things that AI simply cannot replicate,” Srinivas said. 

Budget for AI in Film Making

Srinivas is a renowned director who tested AI in voice cloning during the pan-India release of Shiva Rajkumar’s film Ghost in 2023. He also co-founded a company called AI Samhitha, which specialises in voice cloning. The team is working on a solution that allows an actor’s voice to be retained across multiple languages. 

Explaining the struggles of adapting AI in filmmaking, Srinivas mentioned that incorporating AI is not without hurdles. Unlike Bollywood or South Indian industries like Tamil and Telugu cinema, Kannada films often operate on relatively smaller budgets.

However, audiences don’t evaluate a film based on its production cost alone; they judge it by the final output. This means filmmakers must find ways to achieve high production quality despite financial constraints.

“That meant identifying a VFX company that could work within our budget without compromising the final result. This took a lot of time – researching, reaching out to companies, convincing them, and even discussing future collaborations. It was a tough process. Because when you have a big budget, everything is easy. But when you don’t, making it work requires creativity, persistence, and a lot of problem-solving,” the director said. 

Risk of Experimenting with Tech

Technology is an ever-evolving force in cinema, and its impact is inevitable. The real challenge lies in using it effectively without compromising the artistic essence of filmmaking. A key example is digital de-aging, an advanced technique often used to recreate an actor’s younger self. While Hollywood films like ‘The Irishman’ have successfully employed this technology, its feasibility in Indian cinema remains uncertain.

“Makeup can do a lot, but can it truly recreate the look from Shivanna’s (Shiva Rajkumar) debut film, Anand? That’s extremely difficult. We might be able to make him look 10 years younger, but making him appear as he did in his early 20s, when he first stepped into the industry, is a whole different challenge. So, we had to explore other options. Could technology help?” Srinivas added.

He explained that if choosing to use technology, one has to be incredibly responsible. Shivanna isn’t a newcomer; he is a superstar. This meant the responsibility of ensuring he looks good on screen falls heavily on the director. If it doesn’t work, the blame doesn’t just stay with the technology; it shifts entirely onto the director. 

“Given the stakes, we carefully evaluated our options. Makeup could only do so much, but technology had the potential to achieve a more convincing transformation. So, we decided to give it a try,” the Ghost director said. 

However, at the end of the day, it’s a risk. Even so, in filmmaking, every risk comes with its own set of challenges.

What’s the Secret to a Movie’s Success – Content or Technology?

If there was a foolproof formula for success in filmmaking, the person who cracked it would be hailed as a genius or even God. The reality, however, is that no one can truly predict whether a film will be a blockbuster or a flop.

History is filled with surprises. There have been films that were overlooked in theatres but later gained cult status, and others that, despite lukewarm reviews, raked in millions. There’s no single recipe for success; every film embarks on its own unpredictable journey.

For filmmaker Srinivas, the only certainty lies in the effort behind the scenes. “For me, the only thing a filmmaker can do is work with complete honesty and dedication. Content, of course, is essential. Without strong content, a film has no foundation. But once the film is completed and reaches the theatres, everything else is out of your hands.” 

The saying ‘everything is in God’s hands’ rings especially true in the film industry. While the creative process remains within the filmmaker’s grasp, external factors like audience reception, theatre availability, distribution strategies, and even something as random as the weather can influence a film’s success.

Some films shine on the big screen, while others find their true audience on OTT platforms. In the end, success in cinema is as unpredictable as it is exhilarating, making every film a gamble worth taking.