Actor Ayushmann Khurranaon Thursday said while filmmaking and technology go hand-in-hand, there is a need to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Khurrana was speaking on the third day of FICCI Frames 2024 in Mumbai at the session titled "From Bollywood to Turkish Drama: Acting across borders" along with actor-MP Khushbu Sundar and Turkish star Hande Ercel.
"Filmmaking and technology... We can't do without it, but my core job as an artist is to emote and bring out stories that are unique and add certain value to people's lives. Having said that, we have great technology whether it is AI or editing and it's a great collaboration with the technology," Khurrana said.
Asked about the atmosphere of fear surrounding AI in the film industry, the National Award winner said it was a "grey area".
"We don't have any laws related to AI. It is in a nascent stage. We need to develop certain laws but as an artist, you need to have a connection with the people," he added.
Reaping the benefits of new technology must come along with "extreme caution and responsibility", said Sundar.
"Even to read a book, I need to feel and smell the paper in my hand. It's great to have technology. As a filmmaker, it brings down the burden but it comes with lots of responsibility.
"Unfortunately, more than the positive sides, the human brain picks up the negative sides of the technology and misuses it. This is where we need to draw the line and we cannot go beyond this," she said
The actor, a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), said most recently deepfake technology has been misused a lot by miscreants. Deepfake is a digital method where users can replace one person’s likeness convincingly with that of another using AI technology.
"That is where I say the laws have to be very stringent. Unfortunately, we have people who generate videos that involve women but that is the mindset of most of the men who are not able to understand or identify that whatever a female actor does on screen is her job," she added.
Sundar said she would like some things in the film industry to remain old school.
"Like daily-wage workers on the sets, dancers dancing their hearts out and fighters fighting with their guts. I cannot imagine a film industry where you have robotic images creating film. I need to feel and give real emotions," she said.
For Hande, popular for Turkish shows Ask Laftan Anlamaz and Gunesin Kizlari, it all boils down to the intent of the user of technology.
"I believe technology has helped the industry in Turkey as well with CGI but soon we will believe in the importance of human touch. At the end of the day, we are emotional beings. We need to be in touch with our emotions to convey them, so I believe in the future we will go back to that," she said through an interpreter.
On Wednesday at FICCI Frames 2024, filmmakers Aanand L Rai and Vikramaditya Motwane also weighed in on the use of AI in cinema.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.