Exclusive- Inspection Bungalow actor Shabareesh Varma on AI affecting filmmaking: "AI won’t replace humans, but it will have major impact..."

Directed by Saiju S.S. and written by Suneesh Varanadu, Inspection Bungalow promises to offer something truly different for Malayalam audiences.

The Mollywood film industry continues to push creative boundaries, fearlessly experimenting with new genres and storytelling formats. One of its most exciting upcoming releases, Inspection Bungalow, marks Kerala’s first-ever horror-comedy web series — a refreshing blend of black humour, satire, and institutional critique presented in a full-length digital format.

Directed by Saiju S.S. and written by Suneesh Varanadu, Inspection Bungalow promises to offer something truly different for Malayalam audiences.

At the heart of the project is actor and singer Shabareesh Varma, widely loved for his memorable roles in films like Premam, Memm Rameshan 9am Ward, and Oh Meri Laila, as well as for his chart-topping song Pistah.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Shabareesh opens up about stepping into the world of horror-comedy, the growing influence of AI in filmmaking, and what made working on Inspection Bungalow such a unique and exciting experience.

Excerpts from the interview:

1. Inspection Bungalow is Kerala’s first-ever horror-comedy web series. What drew you to this project?

It’s a genuine attempt, and the people behind it are putting in sincere effort. More than that, the character offered to me felt really interesting. Those were the main reasons I chose to be part of it.

2. Horror and comedy are two extremes — how did you and director Saiju S.S. find the right balance between scares and laughs?

Suneesh Varanadan wrote it really well, and we were mainly thinking about how to bring that from paper to screen. About the balance, that’s for the audience to judge.

3. What drew you most to your character in Inspection Bungalow? Was there something about him that personally resonated with you? What was your initial reaction when you first read the script?

The character Vishnu, which I played in this series, has very little in common with me personally and that was the main attraction. After all, acting is the art of becoming someone else. As a film school student, I naturally tend to visualise the script in a cinematic way. But there are many ways to tell a story on screen, and what you’re about to see is purely the director’s visual interpretation.

4. Since this is your OTT debut, how different was the process compared to working in films?

It was hectic since the number of shooting days was much fewer compared to films. I’m not really used to working at that pace, but I genuinely enjoyed the experience.

5. Also, since AI is becoming more prominent day by day in all fields including filmmaking, do you think this will effect the art of filmmaking or is it going to make it more coming of age in the digital era?

I’ve completed two courses in AI, and I use multiple AI assistants for video generation, music production, and text-based work. As of now, we can’t fully rely on these tools without human involvement. AI won’t replace humans, but it will definitely create a major impact in many fields including art especially through those who have mastered it.

6. Speaking of Malayalam movies like Lokah winning the audiences and performing so well at the box office, what do you feel about such underrated genres and how people are perceiving them? what do you feel is working for such films?

I’m extremely happy to see Malayalam cinema gaining pan-Indian recognition. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of such films, and I’m eagerly waiting for more opportunities like that.

7. What has been the most surprising or memorable moment for you while filming this series?

The artists I worked with were all new to me, and they turned out to be surprisingly good. Wait a minute, was I being judgmental? Then I guess that was my mistake!

8. Malayalam audiences love strong storytelling — what do you hope viewers will take away from Inspection Bungalow when it premieres on November 14?

I don’t want to judge the audience. Let them watch it and express what they feel.

Also read: Kaantha movie review: Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri starrer is a fascinating story of ego, art, and obsession behind the camera

9. From Premam to Inspection Bungalow, your career has seen an incredible range — how do you choose roles that challenge or reflect your growth as an artist?

There are two things I always consider before choosing a movie. First, the character, is it well-written, and how important is it to the story? Second, the crew and the production.