India’s First AI film, Love You in Kannada, made by a priest on a ₹10 lakh budget in 6 months

In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian cinema, Narasimha Murthy, a temple priest from Siddehalli village near Bengaluru, Karnataka, has created “Love You,” India’s first in the Kannada language, which is entirely generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Produced on such a low budget of ₹10 lakh over six months, this 95-minute movie serves as a testament to innovation, determination, and the transformative power of technology in storytelling.

A Visionary Leap into AI Filmmaking

Narasimha Murthy, serving at the Hanumantharaya Temple in Bengaluru, envisioned a film that could be brought to life without traditional actors, crew, or elaborate sets breaking all the stereotypes. He collaborated a graphic designer turned AI technician named Nuthan, the duo used over 30 AI tools to craft every aspect of the film “Love You.” Starting from character designs and voiceovers to intricate visuals and even drone shots, the film is a product of cutting-edge technology seamlessly blended with impressive and creative storytelling.​

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recognized and appreciated the film’s innovative approach, granting it a U/A certificate. This acknowledgment not only validates the film’s content but also marks a significant milestone for AI-generated cinema in India. This innovation opens gates for many more AI experiences to the general Public.

Crafting Cinema Without a Traditional Crew – Innovation and Challenge

“Love You” distinguishes itself by eliminating the conventional components of filmmaking. There were no actors, cinematographers, or music directors involved meaning no human involvement. Instead, this AI tools generated 12 original songs, dialogues, and visual sequences. Murthy not only contributed to the lyrics and dialogues, but also ensured that the film retained a human touch amidst its technological foundation.​

One of the challenges faced by Murthy during production was achieving consistent character features and giving the realistic emotional expressions. The CBFC noted  and pointed out the inconsistencies in character appearances across scenes and highlighted the difficulties in lip-syncing. Despite all these hurdles, the board was impressed by the film’s ambition and the innovative use of AI in filmmaking as an art.

A Modest Budget with Grand Ambitions

Operating on such a budget of ₹10 lakh, the majority of the expenses were allocated to software licensing for the various AI tools that were employed. Narasimha‘s approach demonstrates that with the right vision and technological resources, a compelling cinema can be produced and also without the need for substantial financial investment.​

The film’s production timeline of six months underscores the full efficiency and huge potential of AI in streamlining the filmmaking process. Nuthan has remarked that the tools used were already six months old by the time of the film’s completion, suggesting that recreating the same film with current and existing technology would yield even more impressive results. 

Pioneering a New Era in Indian Cinema

While “Love You” is not the world’s first AI-generated film—preceded by “Where The Robots Grow” in 2024—but it holds the distinction of being India’s first full-length AI feature film. Murthy’s this initiative paves the way for a new genre of filmmaking in the country, where technology and creativity converge to tell stories in unprecedented ways and without humans.​

Looking ahead, Murthy has ambitious plans to continue exploring AI technology in cinema. Hats off to Murthy, he is already working on two more AI-generated projects: one based on Bengaluru’s founder, Kempe Gowda, and another on the historical figure Immadi Pulikeshi.  

Sets Trends for more AI Enthusiast for innovation

“Love You” stands as a beacon of innovation in not only the Kannada film industry but India as whole, illustrating how passion and technology can come together to create compelling narratives. Narasimha Murthy’s journey from temple priest to pioneering filmmaker serves as an inspiration, highlighting the boundless possibilities that AI offers in the realm of cinema. As technology continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to witness how AI reshapes storytelling and broadens the horizons of Indian filmmaking.