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Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 13:09 IST
Bengaluru Priest Narasimha Murthy Unveils “Love You”, the First Full-Length Kannada Film Crafted Entirely with AI
The film ‘Love You’, a groundbreaking 95-minute production, has received a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Narasimha Murthy, a priest from Siddehalli village in Bengaluru, has made a remarkable entry into the film industry with a project poised to alter the landscape of cinema. Balancing his duties as a temple priest at Hanumantharai Temple with his passion for filmmaking, Murthy has announced the creation of what he believes to be the world’s first full-length Kannada film made entirely using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Named Love You, this 95-minute feature film is notable not just for its content but also for its production techniques, which utilized nearly 30 diverse AI tools and software platforms. Designed and directed solely by Murthy, the film’s cast, music, voiceovers, and visual backgrounds were all AI-generated. This innovative approach took approximately six months and a budget of INR 10 lakh, primarily spent on licensing software, indicating a transformative shift in low-budget, high-tech filmmaking within regional cinema.
Collaborating with Murthy was Nuthan, a graphic designer turned AI technician, who played a crucial role in constructing each digital frame. Despite the small team of just two creatives, the film showcases a cast of AI-generated characters, features 12 original songs, and employs drone-like cinematography, achieving all of this without the involvement of a traditional film crew.
“It’s not without flaws,” Murthy acknowledged during an interview. “I won’t claim the film is flawless, as we faced specific challenges during production.” He mentioned that even the regional censor officer noted discrepancies in character features and that achieving realistic emotional expressions posed a significant hurdle, particularly with lip-syncing.
“I aspired to create the world’s first AI feature film and ensure its release. Initially, I’ll be screening it at one venue to establish this record,” remarked Murthy, who took on all production and directing responsibilities.
Nuthan reiterated the rapid advancements in AI technology, expressing optimism about future projects. “The tools we utilized are already six months old,” she stated. “If we were to recreate the same film today, it would undoubtedly surpass the current version, which highlights how quickly AI technology is evolving.”
Despite its technological constraints, Love You has garnered the attention of the CBFC, with its panel viewing the film out of curiosity and subsequently acknowledging its innovative approach. The unique production methods have sparked considerable interest within the Kannada film industry and beyond.
This isn’t Murthy’s first experience in filmmaking; he has previously directed two feature films. However, Love You departs sharply from conventional filmmaking norms. Every aspect, from the lead characters to the soundtrack and dialogues, was created through AI. Nevertheless, Murthy ensured a human element remained intact by personally writing all the dialogues and lyrics, maintaining some level of creative authenticity despite the digital foundation.
Looking ahead, the filmmaker-priest is not resting on his laurels. He is already working on two additional AI-generated films, one inspired by the life of Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru, and another focusing on the historical figure Immadi Pulikeshi. The first of these upcoming projects is expected to be completed in just two months.
In an industry that is still navigating the interplay between creativity and automation, Murthy’s project is a daring trial. Regardless of whether Love You becomes a commercial success, it has undeniably secured its position in cinema history as a grassroots response to the global trend of integrating AI into entertainment.
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