Tejasswi Prakash on AI vs real art: 'Technology can never replace the human element'
Synopsis
At Playground Season 5 promotions in Mumbai, Tejasswi Prakash drew a firm line: AI can enhance visual entertainment but will never replace real art or serve as a creative mentor. Her remarks land at a moment when the Indian entertainment industry is actively debating how far generative tools should go — and who gets to decide.
Key Takeaways
Tejasswi Prakash said AI ‘can never replace real art’ during promotions for Playground Season 5 in Juhu, Mumbai .
She acknowledged that Playground Season 5 includes an AI concept but ruled out AI ever serving as a show mentor.
Prakash described AI as ‘a handy tool for enhancement’ in visual entertainment, not a replacement for human creativity.
She defended Ektaa Kapoor as the ‘queen of television’ and an ‘impeccable businesswoman’ who adapts to trends.
Playground Season 5 is now streaming on Amazon MX Player , blending gaming, competition, and influencer culture.
Actress Tejasswi Prakash has firmly stated that artificial intelligence can never replace genuine human creativity, even as AI tools grow more sophisticated across the entertainment industry. The actress made her remarks during promotions for Playground Season 5, the gaming reality show now streaming on Amazon MX Player.
What Tejasswi Said About AI and Art
Speaking at a 5-star property in the Juhu area of Mumbai alongside fellow cast members Elvish Yadav and Aarush Bhola, Prakash addressed growing concerns about technology eroding the soul of creative work. “No, in terms of technology and real art, you can never replace real art with technology. And it’s irrespective of how many ever AI shows there could be, this or that,” she said.
She acknowledged that Playground Season 5 itself incorporates an AI concept, but drew a clear line: “We have also included an AI concept in our show. But that doesn’t mean that we will make AI the mentor on this show. I don’t think it can ever happen.”
Her position was nuanced rather than dismissive. “I don’t think AI can ever replace our society. But, to some extent, in visual entertainment, AI can be a handy tool for enhancement,” she added, suggesting a complementary rather than competitive role for the technology.
On Ektaa Kapoor and the Reality Show Boom
Prakash also weighed in on the shifting landscape of Indian television, where reality formats have increasingly overshadowed traditional daily soaps. When asked whether producer Ektaa Kapoor — whose long-running soap operas once defined primetime — was losing relevance, Prakash pushed back strongly.
“No, Ektaa Kapoor has always been the queen of television, but at the same time, she is a mastermind and an impeccable businesswoman. She knows what’s in trend,” Prakash said. She noted that Kapoor’s pivot to reality shows, most notably with Lock Upp, reflects her ability to adapt rather than any decline in her standing.
About Playground Season 5
Playground blends gaming, competition, and influencer culture into a single format built around a virtual playground. The show brings together young creators, gamers, and internet personalities who compete across varied challenges while navigating rivalries, alliances, and team dynamics. Season 5 is the latest iteration of the format and is currently available to stream on Amazon MX Player.
The Broader Debate
Prakash’s remarks come amid a wider industry conversation about AI-generated content, with streaming platforms and production houses globally experimenting with AI for scripting, visual effects, and even virtual hosts. Her comments reflect a sentiment shared by many working artists — that algorithm-driven tools can amplify but not author. Notably, this is not the first time a prominent Indian television personality has publicly staked out a position on AI; the debate has intensified as generative tools become accessible to independent creators.
How the entertainment industry ultimately calibrates the human-AI balance — especially within reality formats that trade on authentic personality — will be worth watching in the seasons ahead.
Point of View
Where platforms are quietly integrating AI into production pipelines while talent-facing formats still depend entirely on human unpredictability for their appeal. The irony of a reality show incorporating an AI concept while its host argues AI can’t replace human mentorship is worth noting. The deeper question mainstream coverage skips is this: as AI tools get better at mimicking personality and emotion, the line Prakash draws today may need to be redrawn — and the industry has no agreed framework for where it sits.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tejasswi Prakash say about AI replacing human creativity?
Tejasswi Prakash said that AI can never replace real art, regardless of how many AI-driven shows emerge. She acknowledged AI as a useful enhancement tool in visual entertainment but was clear it could never serve as a creative mentor or substitute for genuine human expression.
What is Playground Season 5 and where can it be watched?
Playground Season 5 is a gaming reality show that blends competition, influencer culture, and team dynamics in a virtual playground format. It features young creators, gamers, and internet personalities, and is currently streaming on Amazon MX Player.
Who appeared alongside Tejasswi Prakash at the Playground Season 5 promotions?
Tejasswi Prakash was joined by Elvish Yadav and Aarush Bhola at the promotional event held at a 5-star property in the Juhu area of Mumbai.
What did Tejasswi Prakash say about Ektaa Kapoor?
Prakash called Ektaa Kapoor the ‘queen of television’ and described her as a mastermind and an impeccable businesswoman who knows what’s in trend. She rejected the suggestion that Kapoor’s relevance has dimmed as daily soaps lose ground to reality formats.
Does Playground Season 5 use AI in its format?
Yes, Playground Season 5 incorporates an AI concept within its format. However, Tejasswi Prakash clarified that this does not mean AI will take on a mentorship role on the show, maintaining that human involvement remains central.
