AI can assist filmmakers but can't replace originality: Chhatrapal Ninawe

Chhatrapal Ninawe, whose Marathi film Ghaath won acclaim at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, has turned into quite the AI buff of late. The filmmaker has been experimenting with AI tools for image generation and calls it 'fascinating'.

'Beneficial for visualising'
"It's unbelievable what these AI tools can do. I started using it just out of curiosity and wanted to see what would happen if I keyed in prompts from the script of my next film Aakhet (Hunt)," shares Chhatrapal, who was quite surprised by what the AI tools created. "While writing, I had certain frames and visualisation of the scenes in mind but the AI results were, not necessarily better, but different and interesting. In fact, I even put together these images in my pitch to producers. These images provide a new perspective and are beneficial for visualising as well as explaining, say to my cinematographer, as to what kind of a frame I want," he adds.

'AI has its drawbacks'
While he's trying a hand at it, Chhatrapal says it's important for people to understand that AI works in the bracket that it's programmed for. "Even in filmmaking, it can assist you, but AI can never replace originality. It is, at best, an aggregator that collects already available information and visuals to create something as per your prompts. We need to understand that originality or authenticity is not a stronghold of artificial intelligence," he says, cautioning against believing what you see without verifying it.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here