S.S. Rajamouli Dismisses AI Concerns, Calling Technology a ‘Great Assistant’

Last autumn, the visionary RRR filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli convened international media and a staggering crowd of 50,000 devotees in Hyderabad to reveal his latest cinematic epic, Varanasi. The announcement was highlighted by a three-minute teaser—a sophisticated tapestry of animated concept art that fused live-action elements with CGI to provide a window into the director’s sweeping ambition.

While the initial reception was overwhelmingly positive, a small yet persistent chorus of skeptics online raised a modern concern: Was the breathtaking Varanasi footage synthesized by generative AI?

During an exclusive sit-down with Rajamouli shortly after the event, I addressed these rumors head-on. His clarification was absolute and unwavering: the production was the result of human craftsmanship alone.

“Our artists began hand-drawing the initial frames for this three-minute sequence back in October,” Rajamouli explained. “From that moment until the final hours before the debut, the team worked tirelessly around the clock. Over those final three weeks, sleep was a luxury many of them couldn’t afford. To dismiss their efforts as AI-generated is a profound affront to their creative brilliance. Every single frame required 20 hours of rendering—that is the measure of their dedication.”

Despite his firm stance on the Varanasi teaser, the director does not dismiss the technology entirely, characterizing AI as a “competent aide” in the filmmaking process.

“It can certainly streamline workflows during the foundational stages of ideation,” Rajamouli noted. “But as it stands, that is the extent of its role. It is merely another instrument in the toolkit—a supplementary assistant. I rely on many human assistants to realize my vision, and AI functions in a similar capacity. It is a helpful resource, but nothing more.”

Disclosure: This report is based on a press event held in India, with travel and accommodations provided by Sri Durga Arts. Our editorial independence remains paramount; further details on our ethics policy can be found here.

Source: Polygon