Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has weighed in on the intensifying debate around artificial intelligence and its role in creative industries, arguing that while AI is a formidable tool, it must serve the artist — not the other way around. His remarks come as AI deepens its footprint across every stage of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and visual effects to editing and post-production.

What Imtiaz Ali Said

'AI is a very powerful tool, but it is still a tool. The development of technology can never be arrested. One should not be averse to the development of technology. But you need to use technology as something that you want to use to enhance your work or to bring your work to life. Not the other way around,' the director said.

He went further, adding pointedly: 'You cannot be the slave of AI. You cannot be a slave to AI.'

Ali acknowledged that technological progress is unstoppable and that creators should remain open to new advancements. His core argument, however, was clear — the creative impulse must remain in human hands.

Why the Warning Resonates Now

The timing of Ali's remarks is significant. AI-generated deepfakes have become an acute concern in the Indian film industry in recent months. Actor Janhvi Kapoor was recently targeted in a sexually explicit deepfake video produced using artificial intelligence, drawing widespread condemnation from the film fraternity. Actors Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, and Khushbu Sundar publicly condemned the incident and called for strict legal action and government regulation to curb AI misuse.

The Kapoor case is not an isolated one. Actors Rashmika Mandanna, Mrunal Thakur, and Shalini Pandey have also been targeted in similar deepfake controversies, underscoring a broader, systemic threat to public figures in the entertainment space. Critics argue that India's regulatory framework has not kept pace with the technology's rapid proliferation.

AI's Expanding Role in Indian Cinema

Beyond the deepfake crisis, AI tools are being adopted at scale by Indian studios for tasks including de-ageing actors, automating subtitles, and accelerating colour grading. Proponents contend these efficiencies free directors to focus on storytelling, while sceptics — including many writers and technicians — warn of job displacement and a homogenisation of creative output.

Ali's position appears to occupy a pragmatic middle ground: embrace the technology, but never let it dictate the creative vision.

Imtiaz Ali's Recent Work

On the professional front, Ali recently helmed 'Main Vaapas Aaunga', which released in cinemas on 12 June. The film starred Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina in lead roles, with a supporting cast including Vinod Nagpal, Dolly Ahluwalia, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Suri, Manish Chaudhari, Anjana Sukhani, Banita Sandhu, and Danish Pandor.

As the industry continues to grapple with both the promise and the peril of AI, voices like Ali's are likely to grow louder — particularly as calls for legislative guardrails intensify.