Sep 29, 2026 6:45pm IST
‘Varanasi’ Maker SS Rajamouli On AI: ‘When It Comes To Generative AI, I Remain Skeptical’
SS Rajamouli’s “Varanasi” starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran is one of the biggest films coming out of India in 2027. The filmmaker has shot across locations for his adventure flick that has a connection with Indian mythology. Of late, there has been a lot of talk about the use of AI in film industries across the world. Its impact on employment, copyrights and human touch to art is hotly debated by filmmakers, unions and organizations.
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Speaking to students of Georgia University, Rajamouli said, “It’s difficult to predict where AI is heading because the technology and its applications are evolving rapidly. So far, AI has been a fantastic assistant for research, R&D and preliminary work. Tasks that once took weeks or months can now be completed in hours or even minutes.”
He denied the use of generative AI in “Varanasi," in his previous interviews. Rajamouli further told the students, “However, when it comes to generative AI, I remain skeptical. At present, we are using AI primarily as an assistant and are not relying on it for digital or generative filmmaking processes.”
The filmmaker has been quite vocal about the use of AI in movies in all his interviews so far. He is known for his huge sets and shoots in real locations for all his big-budget films. “Varanasi” will be dubbed in 50 different languages and released in 120 countries. The director is sampling 1,500 real human voices to ensure that the emotional depth of the performances is retained.
“Varanasi” is being promoted heavily all over the West where SS Rajamouli has gained popularity after the success of “RRR.”
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