» From Baahubali to AI, Rajamouli questions future of filmmaking

Director raises questions about AI’s ability to replicate human emotions and creativity in cinema

The North News
October 11, 2026, 16:00
2 mins
Chandigarh

From Baahubali to AI, Rajamouli questions future of filmmaking

SS Rajamouli, whose films blend visual spectacle with emotional storytelling, reflects on AI’s growing role in cinema. (AI image for representational purposes.)

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) recreate the emotions that make cinema memorable? Can it produce stunning frames while also evoking unforgettable feelings? These are among the questions raised by filmmaker SS Rajamouli as AI reshapes the future of filmmaking.

From visual effects and animation to editing and content creation, AI is opening new possibilities for the film industry. However, its growing presence has also brought questions about originality, artistic independence and the role of human creativity in storytelling.

Known for blockbuster films such as “Baahubali” and “RRR”, Rajamouli has built a reputation for combining spectacular visuals with powerful emotions. His work demonstrates how technical ambition can elevate storytelling without becoming a substitute for it.

He is currently working with Priyanka Chopra on his upcoming film “Varanasi”, which also stars Mahesh Babu. The ambitious project has generated considerable anticipation, bringing together prominent names from Indian cinema and reflecting the director’s continued focus on expansive storytelling.

AI is offering filmmakers new ways to experiment with visuals, streamline production processes and realise ambitious ideas. Yet, the technology also raises questions about whether machines can replicate the imagination, emotional instincts and storytelling sensibilities that define great cinema.

For filmmakers, the challenge is no longer simply whether to embrace new technology, but how to use it without losing cinema’s emotional core. While AI may assist in bringing extraordinary ideas to the screen, making audiences laugh, cry and connect with characters remains central to storytelling.

As cinema enters a new technological era, the questions raised by Rajamouli place the debate over AI in entertainment in a wider context. The future of filmmaking may depend not only on what technology can create on screen, but also on whether it can evoke the feelings that stay with audiences long after the credits roll.