Filmmaker Nag Ashwin believes the growing accessibility of technology can create new possibilities for Indian cinema, especially when modern filmmaking tools are combined with stories and philosophies rooted in India's cultural identity.Speaking to IANS, the Kalki 2898 AD director said technology can help filmmakers bring more ambitious visual worlds to the screen while also giving diverse and original voices greater opportunities to tell their stories.Key HighlightsNag Ashwin spoke about the future of technology and Indian cinema.He believes technology combined with uniquely Indian stories can create new possibilities.He said more accessible technology could empower diverse filmmakers.Ashwin directed the 2024 film Kalki 2898 AD.The filmmaker has also directed Mahanati and Yevade Subramanyam.He sees technology as a tool to help filmmakers realise their creative worlds on screen.Nag Ashwin on Technology and Indian StoriesNag Ashwin was asked whether the opportunity for Indian cinema lies in combining new technology with stories and philosophies that are uniquely Indian.The filmmaker agreed, saying that the combination could open up many possibilities for Indian cinema.According to Ashwin, technology is not only about creating bigger visual effects. As filmmaking technology becomes more accessible, it can also allow a wider range of filmmakers to experiment with ideas and bring their own worlds to audiences.His comments come at a time when artificial intelligence, virtual production, advanced VFX and other digital filmmaking technologies are increasingly being discussed across the global entertainment industry.Technology Could Empower New FilmmakersAshwin also highlighted the role of accessibility. He said that as technology becomes easier to access, more diverse and original voices can get the opportunity to experiment with filmmaking.For independent and emerging filmmakers, advanced tools can potentially make it easier to visualise ideas that might previously have required much larger resources.Ashwin's point is particularly relevant to Indian cinema, where filmmakers work across multiple languages, regions and storytelling traditions.Technology could allow these different cinematic worlds to be presented on a larger scale while retaining their cultural identity.Nag Ashwin and Kalki 2898 ADNag Ashwin's own work provides an example of how Indian mythology, science fiction and large-scale visual storytelling can be brought together.His 2024 film Kalki 2898 AD combined futuristic technology with elements inspired by Indian mythology. The film featured Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Shobana and Disha Patani.The film went on to receive the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while its visual effects also won recognition at the 72nd National Film Awards.From Mahanati to Kalki 2898 ADNag Ashwin began his career as an assistant director to filmmaker Sekhar Kammula before making his directorial debut with Yevade Subramanyam in 2015.He gained wider recognition with Mahanati, his 2018 biographical film based on the life of legendary actress Savitri.With Kalki 2898 AD, Ashwin moved into large-scale science fiction and mythology-inspired storytelling, creating a futuristic world that draws from Indian cultural references.His latest comments suggest that he sees technology as an enabler for this kind of storytelling rather than a replacement for the cultural ideas at its centre.The Future of Indian Cinema and TechnologyThe use of technology in filmmaking is expanding rapidly, from advanced VFX and CGI to AI-assisted production and virtual environments.For Indian filmmakers, these tools could offer new ways to explore regional stories, mythology, folklore and contemporary narratives while reaching wider audiences.Ashwin's comments underline the possibility of combining technological innovation with culturally rooted storytelling. As these tools become more accessible, the filmmaking landscape could provide opportunities for more creators to experiment with ambitious visual narratives.
