Mukesh Khanna uses AI in music projects, urges regulation: 'Keep it under control'
Synopsis
Shaktimaan star Mukesh Khanna has quietly been using AI in his devotional music — and now he's sounding the alarm. His call for an 'AI censor,' mirroring his earlier push for OTT regulation, puts him at the centre of a debate the Indian entertainment industry can no longer ignore.
Key Takeaways
Mukesh Khanna revealed he has used AI in two music projects: 'Aao Bachchon Tumhe Sunaoon, Gatha Hai Balidan Ki' and a Shiv Tandav Stotram composition.
He called AI 'the future of our society' but warned it must be kept 'under control' to prevent job losses.
Khanna drew a direct parallel with OTT platforms , arguing AI needs a regulatory 'censor' just as he had demanded for streaming content.
He stressed that AI lacks human emotion, cautioning against over-reliance that could 'make you a robot.' Bollywood is increasingly adopting AI for editing, visual effects, and multilingual dubbing across productions.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his iconic portrayal of Shaktimaan, has revealed that he has incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into his recent music projects — even after initially resisting the technology. Speaking from Mumbai, Khanna called AI 'the future' while simultaneously warning that it must be regulated before it displaces human creativity and livelihoods.
AI in His Own Work
Khanna disclosed that he has used AI in at least two musical projects: a rendition of 'Aao Bachchon Tumhe Sunaoon, Gatha Hai Balidan Ki' and a composition based on the Shiv Tandav Stotram. 'AI is the future of our society. I have accepted it, even though I had initially refused to embrace it,' he said. 'I have incorporated AI into both of them,' he added, referring to the two songs.
His Warning: Regulation Before It's Too Late
Despite embracing the technology, Khanna was candid about its risks. 'AI has a lot to offer, but if AI makes you a robot, then it is wrong. The emotions that humans have are not present in AI,' he said. Drawing a parallel with the arrival of OTT platforms — which he had earlier argued needed censorship — Khanna called for a similar regulatory framework for AI. 'Let AI come, but keep it under control. OTT came in the beginning uncensored. I said, bring a censor to it. So, you have to bring a censor for AI too. Otherwise, everyone will lose their jobs,' he explained.
Bollywood's Broader AI Shift
Khanna's remarks come as the Indian film industry is increasingly turning to AI to streamline production. From reducing costs and accelerating post-production editing to enabling visual effects and multilingual dubbing, AI tools are becoming a standard part of filmmaking workflows across Bollywood and regional cinema. The trend has sparked debate among creative professionals about job security and the boundaries of machine-generated art.
The Man Behind the Message
Beyond his screen legacy in 'Shaktimaan' and 'Mahabharat', Khanna has long been active in devotional and patriotic music. His engagement with AI in this space signals that even artists with deep roots in traditional storytelling are navigating — and adapting to — the technology's expanding reach. Whether his call for an 'AI censor' gains traction in policy circles remains to be seen, but it reflects a growing unease within the creative community about unchecked automation.
Point of View
Which suggests the technology's penetration in Indian creative circles is deeper and faster than public discourse acknowledges. His 'censor for AI' framing is instinctively populist but points to a real gap — India has no dedicated regulatory framework for AI-generated creative content. The OTT comparison is imperfect but strategically smart; it's a language policymakers already understand. The harder question is whether any regulatory body has the technical capacity to enforce what Khanna is envisioning, or whether the call will remain rhetorical while the industry quietly automates.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which songs has Mukesh Khanna used AI in?
Mukesh Khanna has used AI in two music projects: 'Aao Bachchon Tumhe Sunaoon, Gatha Hai Balidan Ki' and a composition based on the Shiv Tandav Stotram. He confirmed this himself, noting he had initially resisted the technology before eventually incorporating it.
What is Mukesh Khanna's stance on Artificial Intelligence?
Khanna views AI as 'the future of our society' but argues it must be regulated to prevent job displacement and the erosion of human emotion in creative work. He has called for a regulatory 'censor' for AI, similar to the content oversight he previously advocated for OTT platforms.
Why does Mukesh Khanna want AI to be regulated?
He believes unchecked AI could eliminate jobs across industries and strip creativity of its human emotional core. Drawing on his earlier advocacy for OTT censorship, he argues that without oversight, AI's rapid adoption will cause widespread harm to working professionals in the creative sector.
How is Bollywood using AI currently?
The Indian film industry is increasingly using AI to cut production costs, speed up editing, enhance visual effects, and enable multilingual dubbing. The technology is becoming a standard part of filmmaking workflows across Bollywood and regional cinema.
Who is Mukesh Khanna?
Mukesh Khanna is a veteran Indian actor best known for his iconic roles in the television series 'Shaktimaan' and 'Mahabharat.' Beyond acting, he has been active in devotional and patriotic music, including a Hindi rendition of the Shiv Tandav Stotram.
