Vikram Malhotra has weighed in on the growing debate around artificial intelligence and its impact on the entertainment industry, particularly concerns surrounding AI-generated content and personality rights. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, the founder and CEO of Abundantia Entertainment responded to filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s recent comments about the legal and ethical challenges of regulating AI misuse in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

EXCLUSIVE: Vikram Malhotra compares AI misuse to piracy after Ram Gopal Varma points out legal grey areas; says, “We will evolve to better checks and balances”

While acknowledging that concerns around AI are valid, Malhotra stressed that technological advancements should not be viewed with fear. Instead, he believes the industry will gradually develop stronger systems and safeguards to address misuse, much like it did with piracy in the past.

“There are rules and guidelines and norms that exist. Yes, there will always be rogue examples. We all follow a penal code, international guidelines, rules that are enforced but we still have piracy,” Malhotra said during the interaction.

Drawing a comparison between AI-related concerns and film piracy, he explained that misuse has always existed alongside innovation. However, industries evolve and adapt with better technology and regulations over time. “Those that want to pirate and get away with it are unfortunately doing that. But that doesn’t mean that’s the norm and because of fear of piracy you stopped making films. You found ways to get better at it and curb it. The minute you got digital, piracy fell down,” he stated.

Malhotra further expressed confidence that similar checks and balances would eventually emerge in the AI space as well. “So I’m sure we will evolve to better checks and balances on every front but that’s not in my mind any reason for us to shy away from the next world that we are going through,” he added.

His comments come shortly after Ram Gopal Varma shared his perspective on the difficulties of enforcing laws against AI-generated likenesses and voice recreations. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama earlier, Varma questioned whether current legal frameworks are adequately prepared to tackle the complexities introduced by artificial intelligence.

“An actor can go to court and try to get so-called personality rights, but the implementation and enforcing of that is where the grey area begins,” Varma had said.

The filmmaker also pointed out the ambiguity around resemblance and ownership in AI-generated material. “If I am an actor, I can say my face cannot be used. But can I say someone who looks like me cannot be used? Do I have that right?” he questioned.

Varma further highlighted the global nature of AI tools and the difficulty of accountability in such cases. “If a tool is owned by a company in another country, who are you going to sue? The prompter? The platform? The tool owner?” he asked.

The conversation reflects the growing debate within the entertainment industry about how artificial intelligence may reshape filmmaking, intellectual property rights, and creative ownership in the years ahead. While some industry voices remain cautious about the risks, others like Vikram Malhotra believe adaptation and stronger regulations will eventually help the industry navigate the transition.

Also Read:EXCLUSIVE: Vikram Malhotra believes India is more open to AI adoption than the West; says the new-age technology will become “as accessible as electricity”