Aging cannot be reversed but guess what? Thanks to AI, it is possible at least on screen. And we might be harnessing this technology in Mollywood soon. As per Director B Unnikrishnan, it is a nod from the Malayalam superstar Mammootty to digitally ‘de-age’ him in a new project.
In the recent convocation event at Neo Film School, Kochi, director B Unnikrishnan shared information that the versatile actor Mammootty is set to portray a character through an upcoming film, employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to portray this 72 year-old actor in his 30s.
The technicians of the film have obtained approval from Mammootty, who would be playing a small role in the film for a short duration. There is something even more intriguing coming up: Mammootty need not be ‘physically’ present on the set to play the role!
While the director did not disclose any specific details about the movie’s cast or budget, Mammootty’s endorsement highlights the actor’s recognition of evolving technology in filmmaking. Director Unnikrishnan said that the cinema industry, like any other profession, is hugely impacted by AI, which is a double sword. If used for the right reasons, AI can help save time and complete tasks easier in the long run.
However, one must also consider leveraging technology without bringing out ethical issues. Using AI to clone Mammootty’s character is a big step for Mollywood’s success, considering the fact that Hollywood still raises eyebrows to use AI for cloning actors in their movies.