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Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has sparked a conversation about the future of cinema, as he reacted to a tweet and spoke about the disruptive potential of Artificial Intelligence in the film industry. In a thought-provoking post while reacting to a tweet, Shekhar Kapur argued that the traditional power structures of Hollywood and mainstream cinema are poised for a major shake-up. “You’re going to the wrong people,” he wrote, pointing out that ‘A-listers’ and major studios have thrived on business models that are now becoming obsolete. According to Shekhar Kapur, these systems rely on massive budgets and exclusivity — a barrier that keeps new voices out. You’re going to the wrong people. ‘A Listers’ rose to the top on business models that are about to be defunct. Studios in the US survive because they have built business models that are so expensive they create entry barriers AI will make film making more democratic. So why… — Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) November 4, 2025 He believes AI will fundamentally change that equation. “AI will make filmmaking more democratic,” Shekhar Kapur said, questioning why those at the top of the pyramid would support a technology that threatens to level the playing field. The filmmaker emphasised that AI isn’t just an extension of existing tools like VFX, but a “completely new technology” that has the power to redefine creativity and storytelling itself. How the industry is reacting to excessive AI use The emergence of AI and its growing influence have sparked a heated debate in the industry. Recently, Anand L. Rai’s Raanjhanaa was re-released with an alternate ending, while Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal became one of the first films created entirely through Artificial Intelligence. These moves have led many to question the excessive use of AI in cinema. Vikramaditya Motwane, who is vocal about his opposition to overusing AI, said in an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, “I see AI as a threat. The threat is not from the creators using it; the threat is from the people with money wanting to use it to save more money for themselves. The threat comes from there. It’s about the people in power using it to be able to say, ‘I can use AI and then I will not hire X number of people for my job,’ or ‘I can use AI and I can get rid of X number of people.’” During the release of Raanjhanaa with the altered ending, Anand L. Rai stated, “I am very worried about my other films. So is Dhanush. We are actively looking at judicial remedies to restore and preserve our creative content from such extraneous interventions.” Actor Dhanush added, “The re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me. This alternate ending has stripped the film of its very soul, and the concerned parties went ahead with it despite my clear objection.”
