Mahavatar Narasimha director Ashwin Kumar says AI is a powerful tool, but 'it lacks soul' - Exclusive

Mahavatar Narasimha director Ashwin Kumar is making 7 films on this universe.

In the wake of his surprise blockbuster, Mahavatar Narasimha, director Ashwin Kumar has made a strong statement about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking.

Ashwin said he does consider AI a powerful tool, but it cannot replace the heart of human storytelling.

While speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol after the success of his latest venture, Ashwin Kumar said, “The one place I really feel AI lacks is a soul. It doesn't quite have the heart. While it can mimic the skills, it cannot tell a story; it does not know if it's a good story, a bad story, or a story that is touching you."

The filmmaker behind 2025’s most unexpected superhit movie believes that while AI can enhance storytelling, it should not define it.

“That's what gives us the power over AI—to have a heart, to have a soul and to be telling those stories and keep AI only as a tool, as a medium, as one more tool of making colours on the canvas. That's how I see it,” he added.

Ashwin Kumar's comments come at a time when AI is being used across the film industry—from script development and editing to voice cloning.

Ashwin's statement also hints at a growing concern among artists and creators that technology should not replace the emotional and spiritual core of the creative process.

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Ashwin Kumar’s Mahavatar Narasimha, a mythological animated film, took almost four and a half years to complete and was built entirely using digital tools.

And he insists it was the intent, not the tech, that led to its success.

“Everything that you see on the screen is digitally created and rendered. And it's basically a piece of art; it's a floral piece that I'm just gifting out to the people at large,” he said.

Despite India having access to world-class VFX talent and Oscar-winning studios, Ashwin Kumar argues the industry has lagged not due to lack of capability, but conviction.

“It is never a skill issue, I feel. It was the will issue of doing these kinds of things. I just hope this gives the confidence to the new creators to bring about a revolution of content," he added.

As Indian cinema finds itself at a crossroads between ancient epics and emerging tech, Ashwin Kumar says, "Storytelling must always begin with soul."

AI may speed up the process, enhance the visuals, and expand the possibilities—but it cannot replace the human need to feel.

“You can't, you know, put the toothpaste back… The Pandora’s box is open. So the idea is to embrace it, use it in good stride and in good conscience," he added.

Talking about Mahavatar Narasimha, the movie has collected a whopping Rs 175 crore worldwide. The movie was released on July 25.