At the recently held IIFTC 2026, a compelling round table featuring some of India’s top regional producers challenged the global narrative around virtual production and AI-driven filmmaking. While the international industry continues to embrace cutting-edge technologies, Indian filmmakers made it clear that on-location shooting remains the backbone of storytelling in the country—and will continue to be so for at least the next decade.
The discussion, part of the All India Round Table, brought together voices from multiple film industries who unanimously agreed that while technology is a valuable tool, it cannot replace the authenticity of real locations. For most Indian productions, particularly regional and independent films, the economics simply do not support large-scale virtual production setups. The consensus was clear: practicality and storytelling needs still outweigh technological ambition.
Himanshu Dhanuka of Eskay Movies highlighted the financial constraints faced by the majority of filmmakers. He pointed out that virtual production is largely viable only for big-budget projects or actors with demanding schedules. For nearly 80 to 90 percent of films produced in India, especially in the regional space, such technology remains out of reach. According to him, on-location shoots will continue to dominate the landscape for at least the next five to ten years.
Echoing similar sentiments, Harshit Reddy from Sri Venkateswara Creations/Dil Raju Productions stressed that the choice ultimately depends on the script. While action-heavy sequences may benefit from virtual tools, a majority of Indian scripts are grounded in reality and demand real locations and performances. He also underlined that, despite advancements, the visual output of real locations often surpasses that of expensive CGI setups.
Adding a perspective from the Malayalam film industry, Jomon Jacob shared how efficiency and planning are key to their filmmaking process. He explained that if a script demands a particular setting, filmmakers prefer to shoot at the actual location rather than simulate it. However, technology does play an important role during pre-production, helping teams optimise schedules and budgets while staying true to the narrative.
Moderated by Jaiprakash Rengarajan, the panel also included global voices like Jim Shamoon, creating a dynamic exchange between Indian and international production ecosystems. With references to acclaimed projects such as The Great Indian Kitchen and the much-anticipated War 2, the discussion highlighted the need to bridge global innovation with local realities. Ultimately, the takeaway was clear: while virtual production is the future, Indian cinema is not ready to let go of the magic of real locations just yet.