Ranbir Kapoor weighs in on AI's impact on filmmaking, says it can never replace human touch | Bollywood

Ranbir Kapoor and Yash are currently busy promoting their much-awaited film, Ramayana. Since the release of its teaser, the film's VFX and grand world-building have been topics of discussion, with fans weighing in on both its positive and negative aspects. Amid the debate, Ranbir and Yash recently discussed the use of AI in filmmaking and shared why they believe that while the technology can aid the process, it can never replace the performing arts.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor is portraying Ram in the film Ramayana‘AI can be used to better filmmaking’Speaking to BBC News about the impact of AI on films, Ranbir said, "Art is always more personal when there is a human touch to it. I think AI like VFX or camera lenses, can be used as a tool to better your filmmaking. But from the medium we come from – of storytelling, of art, of performing art -- and I don’t think AI can ever replace that."

Yash also weighed in on the debate and said, "We have to be responsible enough to understand that humans are involved in it, and we need to be very cautious in where all we apply this technology. We are survivors. We will come up with some idea or we will create something which even a machine would have to struggle with."

In another interaction, Ranbir addressed the criticism that Ramayana has been receiving over aspects such as its VFX and music. Speaking at an India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) event, Ranbir admitted that he remains unbothered by the criticism because his intentions are clear.

Ranbir said, “What's relevant today is this beauty of trolling online. It goes back to the good old song ‘Kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (People will say something, it's their job to say something or the other)'. I think that's a great philosophy to actually follow in life. Don't be bothered by what people are saying. What matters is the people who matter, the people who care for your work, your intention, and your kindness. That's what matters the most."

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is a two-part adaptation of the Indian epic, produced by Namit Malhotra. Ranbir plays Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi essays the role of Sita and Yash plays Ravana. The first part is scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on November 5, 2026, while the second might release around Diwali 2027.

Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.Read More