Anurag Kashyap Slams Vijay Subramaniam Over AI-Generated Film

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has criticised Vijay Subramaniam, founder and group CEO of Collective Artists Network, one of Bollywood’s leading talent management firms, for backing an AI-generated feature film. Subramaniam recently announced a collaboration with Vikram Malhotra’s Abundantia Entertainment to produce 'Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal', which is being billed as India’s first theatrically released film created entirely with artificial intelligence.

In a strongly worded Instagram post, Kashyap called the move a threat to the interests of artists and creators in the Hindi film industry, many of whom are represented by Collective Artists Network. He said that any actor or artist with integrity should either question Subramaniam or leave his agency, arguing that the producer had shown he considered them no match for AI-generated performances. According to him, such projects signalled a future dominated by what he described as “spineless and cowardly” artists. He added that mere shame was not enough for Subramaniam, saying he “should be in the gutter.”

Kashyap further accused agencies of prioritising profit over talent. He alleged that despite claiming to represent creators, these companies repeatedly chose poor projects that failed to generate returns and were now turning to AI as a solution. Clarifying his stance, Kashyap said he had no objection to artificial intelligence itself, acknowledging that “nobody can stop AI from taking over every field and the world.” His real concern, he explained, was with Subramaniam—whom he referred to as a friend—since, as the head of a leading talent agency, he was expected to safeguard the interests of artists rather than promote AI-driven filmmaking. Kashyap argued that at a time when the industry required structural corrections, especially regarding escalating costs and the career trajectories of actors, writers, musicians, and filmmakers, Subramaniam’s choice to back an AI project was deeply problematic.

Subramaniam, meanwhile, defended the project. In an earlier interview with PTI, he said his aim was to create films that blended cutting-edge technology with ancient stories, catering to younger audiences with shorter attention spans.