Mumbai, June 16, 2026: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful force in the film and content creation industry, but its role should be to support and enhance human creativity rather than replace it, experts said during an Open Forum held at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF).
Organised by the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA), the session, titled “Is AI the Future of Creativity?”, brought together industry professionals and legal experts to discuss the opportunities, challenges and ethical implications of AI in filmmaking.
The panel featured Ujwal Nirgudkar, Chairman of SMPTE; Sanath P.C., Co-founder of Firefly Creative Studio Pvt. Ltd.; filmmaker Subodh Menon, Director of Fanboy Pictures; and legal expert Hetal Desai Soliya.
Addressing the audience, Ujwal Nirgudkar described AI as the next stage in the evolution of cinema technology. He highlighted its growing applications in post-production, including sound enhancement, colour grading, visual refinement and film restoration. While AI tools are advancing rapidly, he noted that industry-wide standardisation and adoption will take time.
Filmmaker Subodh Menon emphasised that storytelling remains deeply rooted in human experience and emotion. Although AI can assist in generating ideas and supporting the creative process, he said the essence of storytelling cannot be automated. He encouraged filmmakers to understand and embrace AI as it becomes an increasingly important part of the industry.
Sanath P.C. noted that AI has the potential to significantly improve storytelling by enhancing image quality, sound design and overall audience engagement. Describing the current phase as one of experimentation, he urged creators to explore the technology while treating it as a creative aid rather than a substitute for original thinking.
Focusing on the legal dimensions of AI-generated content, Hetal Desai Soliya stressed the need for responsible use of licensed data and meaningful human involvement in creative works. She pointed out that copyright protection is granted to human creators and advised filmmakers to use AI as a tool for strengthening original content.
The panellists agreed that AI can help streamline production processes, improve efficiency and expand creative possibilities. However, they underscored that imagination, emotion and artistic vision remain the foundation of meaningful storytelling.
The discussion concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants raised concerns about AI adoption, copyright protection, ethical challenges and the future of creative professions. The forum ended with a consensus that while technological innovation should be embraced, human creativity must continue to guide the storytelling process.
