Maharaja In Denims: “Behind The Scenes”
Vidéo: watson
The first Bollywood movie entirely generated by AI will hit theaters this summer. Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of the latest technological advancements.
02.05.2026, 12:0202.05.2026, 12:02
By Seema SINHA/ afp
Maharaja in Denims is set to be the first Bollywood film entirely produced by artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of the summer.
Unlike its more regulated American counterpart, the Indian film industry – with over 2000 productions a year – has enthusiastically embraced AI through several projects. Two feature films: Chiranjeevi Hanuman: The Eternal and Love You, had long been in the running, but never made it to the theater. Therefore, Maharaja in Denims is poised to win in this new category.
Visuals from Maharaja in Denims.
Image: AFP
Adapted from the book of the same name by Khushwant Singh published in 2014, the film is produced by Intelliflicks studios. They were co-founded in Chandigarh, in northern India in 2023 by the author and Gurdeep Singh Pall, a former vice president of Microsoft.
“Gurdeep wanted to prove that it was possible to make a feature film with AI tools. He wanted to try it with my book, that’s how Intelliflicks started.”
Khushwant Singh
His best-selling book tells the story of a teenager from Chandigarh from an affluent family. He believes he is the reincarnation of both Ranjit Singh, the maharaja who founded the Sikh Empire in the 19th century, and a victim of the violence that targeted this community in 1984, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Usually, these epic tales require a considerable budget when filmed.
However, in this case, AI has helped to reduce it by tenfold. “Filmmakers estimated costs to be over 500 million rupees (4.65 million euros) in a traditional format. We should finish it for around 40 to 50 million rupees,” Singh rejoices.
“No actor fees, no delayed or disrupted shoots (…) no set problems: everything relies on the creativity of the mind and the machine.”
One exception to the computer’s reign: the music, composed and played by humans. Sukhwinder Singh performs the main song. He lent his voice to the musical score of Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle’s eight-Oscar-winning film.
Maharaja In Denims: Behind The Scenes
Video: watson
Evolución tecnológica
Even though AI has allowed us to overcome numerous material constraints, the “shooting,” managed by a tiny team of barely six people, was far from a walk in the park.
Firstly, because the technological tools are not well-trained to replicate Indian faces. “It would have been much easier to make a Western,” observes the director, “if we had anticipated these difficulties, we would have chosen a different scenario…”
Furthermore, constant advances forced constant modifications to the editing. “Technology keeps advancing,” sighs Khushwant Singh.
“You are always tempted to resort to the latest evolution because what you shot before no longer seems as attractive or interesting.”
Initially set for late 2025, the film is now projected to be screened on the big screen in August or September. “I can now assert that we have successfully mastered the technique of making a film by artificial intelligence,” delightfully savors the filmmaker.
One of the first of its kind that, he is convinced, will not only revolutionize but also democratize a global industry: “Given the extremely rapid progress of technology, an 18-year-old from the province could soon compete with the biggest studios,” anticipates Khushwant Singh. “Competition will come from all around the world.” (afp/vz)
