Kiran Das Says AI Could Transform Filmmaking as He Makes Directorial Debut

Unmadham is very different from the other scripts that writer-director Shahi Kabir has written thus far, even though it also centers around a police officer. Unmadham is very different from the realistic, slow-moving police procedurals he is most known for because it incorporates psychological dimensions, imagination, and surrealism. In fact, he declared it to be his favourite script to date throughout the film’s promotion.

Therefore, giving Kiran Das the lead role not only demonstrated their friendship but showed his faith in the editor-turned-director. However, Kiran claims that until recently, neither his wish list nor his to-do list included film directing. However, he was inspired to try his hand at filmmaking after giving it some serious thought. So why Unmadham in particular? The solution is straightforward. “Unmadham is difficult to execute and convince the audience,” he tells SCREEN during an exclusive interview.

Das, known for his work as an editor, said the rapid development of AI could bring significant changes to the film industry within the next three to four years. The technology, he suggested, could alter the roles played by several creative professionals and transform established filmmaking processes.

His decision to move into direction was partly influenced by the need to adapt to these changes. However, Das stressed that technological advances cannot easily reproduce the emotional depth and human understanding that form the foundation of compelling cinema. For him, storytelling continues to depend on nuances and experiences that are difficult for artificial intelligence to replicate.

Unmadham, written by Shahi Kabir, explores a psychologically intense narrative and moves away from conventional commercial storytelling. The film features Geetu Mohandas and attempts to examine darker and more complex aspects of human behaviour. Rather than relying purely on familiar genre structures, the project seeks to encourage audiences to think about the issues and emotions presented on screen.

Das also spoke about his association with Kabir, whose writing has gained recognition for its grounded treatment of crime, policing and human psychology. Kabir, a former Kerala police officer, entered filmmaking with Joseph and subsequently became known for scripts that combine investigative elements with strong character-driven narratives.

The director’s experience as an editor has also shaped his approach to filmmaking. Editing, he suggested, has given him an understanding of rhythm, structure and storytelling that can be useful while directing.

With Unmadham, Das is therefore attempting more than a career transition. The film represents his effort to explore challenging subject matter while navigating a film industry that could undergo major technological changes in the coming years. His comments underline the tension between rapidly advancing AI tools and the continuing importance of human creativity, emotion and interpretation in cinema.