“Technology can assist, not substitute”: Taha Shah Badussha on AI in cinema : Bollywood News

As artificial intelligence continues to make inroads into global filmmaking, actor Taha Shah Badussha believes the conversation should not be about fear, but about clarity. While AI is rapidly transforming visual effects, dubbing, and post-production processes, he remains confident that actors cannot be replaced at the core of storytelling.

“Technology can assist, not substitute”: Taha Shah Badussha on AI in cinema

“Technology can assist, not substitute”: Taha Shah Badussha on AI in cinema
Taha says that performance is rooted in lived experience. For him, emotionally charged scenes, whether depicting grief, love, conflict, or silence — draw from personal memory and instinct. He feels that while AI may be able to recreate facial movements or generate technically accurate visuals, it cannot genuinely feel, and that difference is crucial. According to him, audiences connect with authenticity, not just visual precision. He acknowledges that AI is already becoming deeply embedded in production workflows. From de-ageing technology to digitally enhanced voices and virtual sets, the industry is evolving quickly. Taha views this shift as inevitable and even necessary. “AI is definitely going to take over a lot of technical aspects,” he says. “It’s already happening with VFX, CG, even dubbing. We can’t ignore that reality.”

At the same time, he believes adaptation is key. “As actors and creators, we have to evolve with the times. If you understand the tool, you can use it to your advantage. But if you resist change completely, you’ll struggle,” he explains, stressing that awareness and learning are now part of the profession. However, he draws a firm boundary when it comes to performance. “Technology can assist, but it cannot substitute a human being,” Taha says. “In emotional scenes, the pauses, the silences, the unpredictability — those moments aren’t programmed. They come from lived experience.” He adds that audiences instinctively recognise that difference. “People connect to vulnerability. They connect to something that feels real, not just something that looks perfect.”

Rather than positioning AI as a threat, Taha sees it as a resource, particularly for filmmakers working with limited budgets who now have access to tools that were once restricted to big studios. “AI can open doors for storytellers who didn’t have the means before,” he notes. “That’s a positive change.”

Also Read: Taha Shah Badussha shares heartwarming note, thanks fans for their unwavering support: “What began as a solo dream…”