Is this the end of writers & directors? AI film Chiranjeevi Hanuman has B-Town talking

The announcement of Chiranjeevi Hanuman-The Eternal has set Bollywood buzzing, and not just because it promises to bring the mythological hero to life once again. What makes it stand apart is that it’s being touted as India’s first full-length AI-generated film, a “Made-in-AI, Made-in-India” spectacle backed by Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Media Network. Slated to release on Hanuman Jayanti 2026, the project has already stirred fierce debate. Is this the future of filmmaking or a threat to the very essence of creativity?

Ranveer Singh's Wah

The reactions began pouring in the moment the project was revealed. Amid skepticism and criticism, Ranveer Singh surprised many by dropping a short but enthusiastic “Wah 👏” on the production house’s announcement post. It was a small gesture, yet significant, since it came from one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. Ranveer’s public thumbs-up suggested that some in the industry are at least open to seeing where this experiment could lead, even if others remain wary.

What Does Bollywood Think About AI?

The wariness has been loud and sharp. Anurag Kashyap, never one to mince words, took to Instagram to slam the project and its backers. He accused talent agencies of sidelining the very artists they represent in order to chase easy profit, warning that creators, writers, directors, storytellers are being discarded in favor of machines. Vikramaditya Motwane, equally blunt, responded with biting sarcasm: “And so it begins… who needs writers and directors when it’s ‘Made in AI’.” Their frustration reflects a larger anxiety spreading through the industry, that AI could hollow out the art form by replacing the human spark that fuels it.

Yet the story isn’t so simple. Bollywood’s relationship with AI has been slowly taking shape, and not everyone views it through the lens of doom. Some filmmakers have spoken openly about how liberating the technology can be. Shakun Batra has admitted that experimenting with AI gave him a chance to express himself without the crushing burden of big budgets. For him, it became a sandbox for creativity, a space where risks could be taken at a fraction of the cost. His optimism, however, comes with a note of realism: AI is still in its infancy, and with it will come the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Veteran director Shekhar Kapur has gone even further, speculating that AI might one day create stars of its own. To him, the technology is not just about tools or shortcuts but about a future where lifelike AI-generated personalities could captivate audiences as much as flesh-and-blood actors. It’s a provocative idea, one that raises as many questions as it answers about the nature of stardom itself.

Ajay Devgn has already put his money where his mouth is by launching Prismix, an AI-led content company. For him, AI is not an enemy but a collaborator, a creative partner that can help filmmakers and brands explore stories in ways never imagined before. In contrast, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur has urged balance. He acknowledges the inevitability of AI’s role in cinema but insists that writing, acting, music, and direction, the core of storytelling, can never be replaced. In his view, the ideal future is one where human artistry and AI innovation work hand in hand.

The Tug Of War Between Fear and Cheer

This tug of war between fear of replacement and excitement for possibility captures the moment Bollywood finds itself in today. With Chiranjeevi Hanuman at the center of the storm, the film has become more than a production. It is now a test case. If it succeeds at the box office, it could pave the way for more AI-led ventures, convincing skeptics that audiences are ready to embrace this new form of storytelling. If it stumbles, it will strengthen the argument that cinema without human creators risks losing its soul.

Either way, the conversation cannot be ignored. AI is no longer a distant possibility hovering on the horizon. It is here, and it is forcing the film industry to ask itself hard questions about the future. Will audiences accept an entirely AI-driven narrative? Can technology ever replicate the emotional heartbeat of a director’s vision or an actor’s performance? And perhaps most importantly, will AI remain a tool in the hands of creators, or will it slowly start replacing them?