Actors Rana Daggubati and Tabu envision an immersive future for Indian cinema

Day three of Goafest concluded on a high note with actors Rana Daggubati and Tabu engaging in an enthralling conversation with Rajeev Masand about the future of Indian cinema. With the theme of this year's Goafest being the "future of creativity" and the role of technology in driving growth, the session proved to be captivating, with both actors sharing insightful perspectives.

Rana Daggubati emphasized that as long as humanity exists, the demand for entertainment will persist. Content is consumed in various forms every day, including television, OTT platforms, cinema, print, and comic books. These mediums have endured over time and will continue to do so. However, what will evolve is the way content is created, with technology playing a significant role.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already found its way into filmmaking, enhancing visual effects, programming, and more. It not only simplifies processes but also empowers creators to deliver better content. The availability of more tools to engage audiences will lead to even more impressive outcomes.

Tabu highlighted the importance of the human element in any creative process, stating that the desire to create is one of the fundamental human needs. Every technological advancement we witness today is driven by this innate creative urge.

Daggubati drew a parallel to the invention of the camera, which initially raised concerns that artists would lose their jobs. However, instead of rendering them obsolete, the camera became a tool that propelled their creativity.

He expressed confidence that technology would continue to fulfill a similar role. People will adapt to innovations and leverage them to enhance their capabilities.

The current generation's appetite for entertainment goes beyond simple motion pictures. They desire deeper engagement with characters they love, leading to the emergence of movies adapted into games and vice versa.

Daggubati emphasized that films of the future will transcend the boundaries of conventional viewing experiences. They will become immersive, enabling people to engage with them for more extended periods. It is a shift towards interactive storytelling.

Towards the end of the session, Rajeev Masand posed an intriguing question to the actors. He asked them about their excitement regarding the future of filmmaking as actors. Tabu spoke about the potential of AI-generated doubles. Instead of physically performing challenging sequences or action scenes, actors could soon be replaced by digital doubles.

Daggubati added that this field is rapidly advancing, enabling actors to become immortal in a sense. For instance, if someone wants to witness a young Amitabh Bachchan reprising his role as Jai in "Sholay," they will be able to see a convincingly realistic digital version of him.

He also mentioned a trailer showcased at Cannes featuring Jackie Chan, where his digitally enhanced 18-year-old character exemplified this technology's potential. Actors can now exist in any period and age.

The content sector has witnessed remarkable strides in AI, making it an exciting domain to observe for the emergence of new innovations that will become commonplace in the future.