Indian filmmaker believes AI dismantling traditional barriers to cinema; could empower new generation of storytellers
Life And Style DeskAugust 19, 20262 min readPhoto: ShekharKapur/VarietyIndia
Indian Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has weighed in on artificial intelligence’s growing role in cinema, arguing that the technology could soon make blockbuster-scale filmmaking accessible to anyone with a desktop computer.
Speaking to Variety India, Kapur said the cost and logistics of filmmaking were undergoing a fundamental shift as AI-powered tools became more accessible.
“Filmmakers have reached a point where a film with the visual scale of a blockbuster like Avatar can realistically be produced for a fraction of the cost, right on a desktop,” he said, adding that the financial landscape of how films are created, budgeted and presented to global audiences had been transformed.
For Kapur, however, the shift is about more than reducing production costs. He described himself as a strong proponent of AI and said he actively encourages young people to experiment with the technology and use it to tell their own stories.
The filmmaker even suggested that the next generation could surpass the work of established filmmakers, arguing that the sheer number of young people now gaining access to filmmaking tools could produce a wider pool of creative talent.
“The younger generation will almost certainly make far better films than we ever did,” Kapur said, describing it as a statistical guarantee. He reasoned that among the millions of young people who now have access to filmmaking technology, thousands could have visions that are more innovative than those of filmmakers working today.
Kapur has nevertheless stressed that AI cannot replace the human instincts behind compelling storytelling. While the technology can broaden access to filmmaking tools, he has previously argued that intuition and innovation remain fundamentally human qualities.
That belief also shapes his view of the opportunities available to aspiring filmmakers. “The question for today’s youth is no longer how to get a chance to make a movie and show it to the world, since the tools are already in their pockets,” he said.
For decades, Kapur noted, filmmakers have had to navigate barriers involving financing, studios, equipment, crews and distribution. He believes AI is steadily dismantling many of those obstacles, potentially allowing a much wider range of voices to enter the industry.
Kapur’s own career has crossed cultural and geographical boundaries. He gained international recognition with the Oscar-nominated film Elizabeth and has continued to work across different cinematic traditions.
His international filmography also includes the 2022 romantic comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It?, which featured actor Sajal Aly in her international film debut.
Set between London and Lahore, the film starred Aly alongside Lily James, Shazad Latif, Emma Thompson and Shabana Azmi. It follows a documentary-maker who films her best friend’s arranged marriage to a bride from Pakistan.
Kapur has previously spoken warmly about working with Aly, saying she came “highly recommended” and praising her ability to bring both innocence and maturity to the role.
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