Last week I received a WhatsApp message from the office of Sanjiev Arora, newly appointed Minister of Industry in Punjab. This was a reservation for the Film Media Committee, one of the panels of many departments established by the state government. I was not able to attend subsequent convenings, but the timing of such an initiative could not have been more appropriate.
Our startups are on the verge of breakthroughs. We created the world's first full-length feature film using artificial intelligence. This is why I became a member.
I have no formal background or experience in traditional filmmaking, but one truth is that worldwide, the film industry is thriving with subsidies. Filmmakers have historically been drawn to destinations that offer the most generous incentives.
But this time, the story can be very different.
Whether it's our startup or another global player who will achieve this first, filmmaking disruptions are imminent and the use of AI in filmmaking is standard and will only continue to grow.
This fundamentally changes the economics of film and the subsidies and traditional infrastructure structures that maintain it, and changes the benefits for those who can think and act with the speed and understanding of the technology curve.
Take advantage of new waves
Confusion, by its nature, presents opportunities. However, such opportunities are seized only by the government and individuals willing to take action decisively.
Sadly, Punjab let such moments escape, losing to nepotism, bureaucratic and political inertia, and the temptation of optics for matter.
Meanwhile, the UAE is already positioned to take advantage of this new wave. This is the third biggest disruption after industrialization and the artificial intelligence of the Internet and entertainment.
Punjab needs to see AI through this lens and act without delay.
The state missed the transition from agriculture to technology in the turbulent phase. But today, Mohali has infrastructure and the rapidly emerging new Chandigarh is taking a bold leap.
My suggestion: Creating Punjab AI Film City (PAIFC). This should be a dedicated hub with core campus housing essentials such as the GPU power bank for high-strength AI rendering, the AI studio facility, the AI Academy for training the next generation of talent, and the annual AI Film Festival to attract international attention.
While state governments have already shown that they cannot provide traditional subsidies, in my opinion, they can create innovative incentive frameworks. Rebates on production costs, software, high-tech tax credits, and even payroll enhancements to hire local talent.
The traditional concept of “film city” is outdated and is a relic that serves little purpose beyond real estate speculation by enough people for this business.
The possibility of pioneering
Punjab has the opportunity to pioneer the next generation of filmmaking hubs if they choose delay over showmanship and vision over substance.
Today, considered the global leader in AI-driven filmmaking, Intelliflicks Studio is deliberately registered in the state by former Microsoft vice president Gurdeep S Pall and myself by co-founder Gurdeep S Pall. One of the main reasons for doing so was to ensure that if they succeeded in achieving this breakthrough, they would be recognized as a success story in Punjab.
Unfortunately, Punjab still does not master the art of harnessing the finest talents and avoids the appealing thing as it often intertwines them in unnecessary bureaucracy and political theatres.
We are currently operating from our garage, but we can see the possibilities of a global AI filmmaking hub. For example, I would like to turn down at least two or three offers in a day from people all over the world and make movies for them, especially mythical films.
All major OTT platforms have already held exploratory meetings with us to understand the technology. The point I want to impress is this: Iron is hot.
AI filmmaking represents the high end of the value chain, far beyond the IT-enabled services that India has embraced decades ago. If Punjab recognizes its strategic position and moves its current movement, it can establish itself as a command center for this new creative revolution.
The choice is to watch it happen somewhere tough, lead change, or elsewhere.
Khushwant Singh is a former Chief Information Commissioner (actor) and co-founder of Intelliflicks Studio. The views expressed are personal.
