Indian filmmakers are embracing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create compelling backstories for superpowered characters in their movies. Director Guhan Senniappan believes that while AI has made significant strides in character creation, it still has room for improvement, particularly in capturing the nuances of Indian characters. Senniappan’s upcoming Tamil film, Weapon, has utilized AI to generate a crucial animated sequence that unveils the origin story of a character with superpowers.
Traditionally, filmmakers would turn to animators to design such sequences, but Senniappan’s team opted for AI technology to bring their vision to life. By leveraging an open-source software with an AI plugin, they were able to create realistic 3D images for the film. This groundbreaking approach marks a milestone for Indian cinema, and according to producer MS Manzoor, it is the first known attempt of its kind in the country.
Exploring the capabilities of AI, the team of five utilized the available footage of the actors and locations to facilitate the AI-generated sequence. While acknowledging that AI has been able to generate impressive images, Senniappan emphasizes that there is still progress to be made in accurately representing Indian characters. The technology currently struggles to produce the desired skin tones for Indian individuals, often defaulting to a neutral representation that spans across Asia. Additionally, Western influences in terms of backdrops and skin tones pose a challenge when trying to capture the essence of Indian culture.
Despite these limitations, the use of AI in the creation of superpowered characters’ backstories marks a significant step forward for Indian filmmakers. Senniappan and his team are pioneers in exploring the potential of AI to enhance the cinematic experience and captivate audiences with their superhuman saga. As AI continues to evolve, the hope is that it will become more adept at representing the complexity and diversity of characters from different cultural contexts.
The incorporation of AI in the film industry expands the possibilities for storytelling, allowing filmmakers to push boundaries and offer viewers a visually stunning experience. While there is still room for improvement, the progress made so far demonstrates the potential of AI to revolutionize character creation in Indian cinema. As technology advances, audiences can anticipate more seamless integration of AI-generated visuals and narratives, weaving together fantastical worlds that captivate and inspire.
