Home / Arts and Entertainment / Producer Defends 'Varanasi' VFX Artists Amid AI Debate
Producer Defends 'Varanasi' VFX Artists Amid AI Debate
5 Feb
Summary
- Producer Yarlagadda defended VFX artists against AI claims.
- Rajamouli stressed the extensive work behind 'Varanasi' glimpse.
- AI advancements could aid artists, not replace them, Yarlagadda noted.
A discussion surrounding the visual effects for SS Rajamouli's magnum opus 'Varanasi' has intensified. Following the release of a three-minute glimpse in November 2025, some online observers speculated about the visuals potentially being AI-generated. In response, director SS Rajamouli clarified in a recent interview that the glimpse was the result of weeks of intense work by dedicated artists.
Producer Shobu Yarlagadda strongly countered a social media user's comment that dismissed the artistic effort, calling the AI generation claim an "insult to the artists." He differentiated between AI as a potential tool for artists to enhance their workflow and the idea that it had replaced their creative input. Yarlagadda acknowledged that AI could assist artists in pre-visualization and iterations, ultimately helping them create high-quality content faster. The film 'Varanasi,' starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is slated for a theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
