The new year heralds an exciting era for Indian cinema, as industry pioneers anticipate significant technological and creative strides that will shape the landscape of filmmaking, distribution, and audience engagement. This is particularly evident in the words and insights of key figures from the industry, speaking on what 2024 holds for the evolving silver screen.
Leading the way is actor Sivakarthikeyan, who discusses his film ‘Ayalaan,’ which is set to release during the Pongal festival. The film breaks new ground for Tamil cinema, presenting Sivakarthikeyan alongside an extraterrestrial being as lead characters. ‘Ayalaan’ is a testament to the escalating use of sophisticated graphics and artificial intelligence (AI) within the industry. These tools offer Tamil cinema’s technicians the opportunity to elevate their creativity and bring riveting tales to the big screen. Sivakarthikeyan urges his peers to pursue more experimental projects that can exist within commercial frameworks, drawing on his experiences with ‘Maaveeran’ (2023) and ‘Ayalaan.’
Supriya Yarlagadda, producer and Executive Director at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, posits that virtual production will see significant growth in 2024. She acknowledges the potential and expense inherent in the expanding technological toolsets and applauds the enthusiasm sparked by the virtual production stage at Annapurna Studios. Yarlagadda emphasizes the importance of incorporating virtual production considerations from the writing stage, to address the challenges of filming intricate sequences in difficult real-world locales. Additionally, she notes the rapid pace of tech advancements and the shrinking window for adaptation, highlighting the importance of AI in streamlining film production.
On a wider industry level, Yarlagadda reflects on the vibrancy of cinema post-pandemic, asserting that the future holds diverse excellence in storytelling. Films that, like ‘Balagam,’ ‘Sita Ramam,’ and ‘Hi Nanna,’ captivate audiences with their sparkle, poetics, and emotional depth. She further discusses the evolution of scripting for series on OTT platforms and the necessity of nuanced perspectives in the writing room, asserting the importance of specialized insight—in the case of female-led narratives, the input from female writers is crucial.
Filmmaker Jeethu Joseph shares his observations on the unpredictable nature of cinema, noting that novelty in narration is paramount in capturing audience interest. He points out the shifting preferences; while violence in movies may have drawn crowds in 2023, Joseph predicts audiences may yearn for different themes in 2024. The filmmaker also recognizes the influence of OTT platforms in promoting regional cinema, particularly Malayalam films, and anticipates a further widening of viewership.
Hemanth Rao, another visionary filmmaker, captures the multiplicity of Kannada cinema. 2022 bore witness to blockbusters like ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ and ‘Kantara,’ and despite fewer big hits in 2023, the industry felt the impact of new filmmakers who carved their path successfully. Rao is eager for the continued prominence of the Kannada language and cinema in statewide culture and looks forward to the release of several promising Kannada films in 2024.
Siddharth Roy Kapur, an influential producer, rounds out the picture by shedding light on the genre of action films being a perennial favorite. He stresses that high-quality action cinema married with compelling narratives will always enchant theatergoers. Kapur accentuates the audiences’ evolving preferences for cinema, pointing to a dichotomy between spectacles best experienced on the big screen versus more intimate content suited for home viewing.
As 2024 unfolds, the Indian film industry is poised at the cusp of technological innovation and bold new storytelling that promise to redefine the cinematic landscape, from AI-assisted visual wonders to the embracing of global narratives and the nurturing of fresh talent. This holds an enduring promise for film enthusiasts that Indian cinema will continue to surprise, engage, and captivate.
