Marathi cinema is making a big jump into the future with the upcoming movie "Dharma - The AI Story." This is significant because it's the first time a Marathi movie will explore the topic of artificial intelligence, paving the way for other regional films in India.
Pushkar Jog, who many know from his time on the TV show Bigg Boss Marathi and from other movies and shows, is making his directorial debut with this film. Tejal Pimple is producing the movie under the B You Production banner, and it will star well-known actors like Dipti Lele and Smita Gondkar.
"Dharma - The AI Story" tells a touching story about a father searching for his daughter, mixing in science fiction and ideas about artificial intelligence. Excitement for the film has been growing ever since it was announced, especially because it is said to be filmed entirely in international locations, which will appeal to both Marathi and global audiences.
The film industry has increasingly embraced AI, not just as a narrative element but also within the production process. AI helps write scripts, create special effects, and even predict how well a movie will do at the box office. Movies about AI are becoming more popular worldwide, showing how much people are interested in technology. Films such as "Enthiran" and "2.0" from the Tamil cinema industry have previously explored AI themes, indicating a growing trend in Indian cinema that "Dharma - The AI Story" is set to continue.
But using AI in filmmaking also brings up some concerns, especially highlighted by recent events in Hollywood. Writers there have protested, arguing that AI could take over creative jobs, such as writing. They worry about losing the human touch in storytelling and the ethical problems of using AI, like keeping data private and preventing AI from repeating biases found in its training data.
The release of "Dharma - The AI Story" in September could pioneer a new wave in the regional film industry by showcasing how AI can be used to tell unique, culturally significant stories. As "Dharma - The AI Story" prepares for its debut, it not only promises to be a landmark film for Marathi cinema but also an important case study in the integration of complex technologies like AI in regional storytelling frameworks. This could set the stage for a new era in regional cinema where technology and tradition blend to create new stories.
