Feb 27, 2026 10:00am IST
Rahul Bhat On Algorithm-Driven Cinema: “If Storytelling Becomes Data-Led, Film Turns Into Product, Not Art” (EXCLUSIVE)
As “Kennedy”, directed by Anurag Kashyap, finally sees the light of day, actor Rahul Bhat, who plays the titular role, is earning praise for his performance. In an exclusive conversation with Variety India following the release, the actor spoke about the growing influence of algorithms and trend-driven decision-making on cinema. He believes that an excessive reliance on data risks reducing films to products rather than works of art.
When asked how he perceives cinema shaped by trends and algorithms and whether such projects attract him, Bhat was unequivocal, stating that data measures reactions but not meaning.
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Rahul Bhat said, “Data measures reaction. It doesn’t measure meaning. Violence trends. Anger trends. Shock travels fast. Nuance travels slowly.”
Bhat continued, “Yes, algorithms influence what gets funded. But human beings still crave intimacy in storytelling. The pendulum always swings. Excess creates fatigue. Fatigue creates hunger for depth. If storytelling becomes purely data-driven, cinema becomes product, not art. And product has a short shelf life.”
In the same conversation, he also spoke about his upcoming projects, including “Black Warrant Season 2”, “Lost and Found in Kumbh”, a film with Dia Mirza, and a new Netflix series.
“‘Black Warrant 2’ has already been announced. They’re currently working on the creatives. Vikramaditya Motwane will know better about when it’s going to floor. I’ve finished shooting a love story with Dia. It’s a beautiful film — we shot it in the Himalayas, in Nainital. Working with Dia was wonderful. She is constantly searching for truth in a scene, always looking for ways to elevate it. That’s a rare quality. The film is currently in the edit.”
“I’ve also completed two more films. One is a Hollywood production titled ‘Lost and Found in Kumbh’. It was announced at Cannes 2025, and we shot it during the Kumbh Mela, with millions of people around us. It was intense and unforgettable. The first copy should be out soon. And currently, I’m shooting for a new Netflix series,” he concluded.
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