Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao delivered a poignant critique of modern filmmaking's over-reliance on data and algorithms, expressing a heartfelt longing for authentic storytelling. He shared these views during a session at the CII Big Picture Summit 2025 on December 1.
A Cry for Authenticity in the AI Era
The session, titled 'The AI era of bridging creativity and commerce', saw Rao speak candidly about the current state of the entertainment industry. He revealed his fatigue with content driven by analytics rather than artistic passion. "We have become too data-based. We are not telling stories from the heart anymore," Rao stated, pinpointing a core concern for many creatives.
He contrasted today's environment with a bygone era of filmmaking. Rao recalled legendary directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Manmohan Desai, suggesting they operated from pure creative instinct. "They didn't think about target audiences or market segmentation... They simply wanted to tell their stories," he elaborated, highlighting a philosophical shift he finds troubling.
Platforms vs. Theatres: An Actor's Perspective
Addressing the ongoing debate about streaming platforms versus traditional cinema, Rao asserted that the medium makes little difference to him as an actor. He drew a parallel to theatre, noting how performance impact can vary wildly across formats. "Sometimes a very average theatre artist works incredibly well on streaming platforms... This person did so well in a genuinely good film, and yet nobody talks about that film," he mused, expressing confusion over the unpredictable nature of audience reception in the digital age.
His primary lament, however, was the scarcity of compelling performances. "I miss seeing good actors on screen, whether in streaming or in theatres," Rao confessed, underscoring a desire for quality over quantity.
Kantara: A Beacon of Conviction
Amid his critique, Rao pointed to a shining example of the kind of filmmaking he champions. He lavished praise on filmmaker Rishabh Shetty for his blockbuster 'Kantara'. Rao believes Shetty succeeded precisely because he avoided calculated, exoticized storytelling. "He didn't think, 'I should make an exotic film.' He just told his story with full conviction, made a beautiful film, and hit it out of the park," Rao said, holding up the Kannada hit as a model for genuine, culturally-rooted narrative.
Concluding his thoughts, Rao, who recently won a Filmfare Award for his movie 'Srikanth', reiterated his personal and professional journey of learning. His comments arrive shortly after he and his wife, actress Patralekhaa, welcomed a baby girl in November, adding a new chapter to his life off-screen.
Rao's candid reflections at the summit serve as a powerful reminder of the tension between art and commerce, a debate increasingly relevant in an industry navigating the powerful currents of artificial intelligence and big data.
