Beyond the Camera: AI Film-Making and The Audiences’ Perception

Introduction to AI in Indian CinemaPage 1

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the media landscape by assisting in everything from script generation to visual effects and editing. This study examines how audiences perceive AI-generated content, focusing on two 2025 Indian productions: the film Mahavatar Narsimha and the web-series Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata.

Technological Integration vs. Audience PerceptionPage 2

The study distinguishes between AI-assisted production and audience perception. While some films use AI as a supportive tool (like Mahavatar Narsimha), viewers often label digital animation as 'AI-generated' based on visual aesthetics alone, such as perceived unnatural movements or robotic textures, even when the involvement of AI is not officially confirmed.

Key Findings on Audience EngagementPage 4

The analysis reveals that emotional engagement remains tied to narrative and cultural resonance rather than technical implementation. While studios use AI to optimize production efficiency and costs, audiences remain focused on authenticity and cultural familiarity. There is a notable gap between the actual technical use of AI and the public's interpretation of visual styles as 'AI-like'.

Conclusion: The Future of Collaborative FilmmakingPage 5

The research concludes that the future of filmmaking is not a replacement of human creators by machines, but rather a collaborative human-AI process. Audience perception acts as a lens through which new technologies are interpreted, making it essential for filmmakers to balance technical innovation with the preservation of emotional and cultural depth.