New Delhi: In a bold declaration at the WAVES 2025 Summit, veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur revealed that he may never again need iconic actors like Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan for his films — because Artificial Intelligence is now capable of creating its own stars.

Addressing a packed audience, Kapur shared his vision of the future of cinema, stating, “Actors will merely act. The stars of tomorrow will be AI-generated characters — more lifelike, relatable, and completely under creative control.”

He added that AI-generated personalities, with full copyrights owned by the creator, could soon dominate film screens. “Why depend on real-life celebrities when I can develop a compelling character that the world falls in love with — and own the rights to that creation?” he asked.

Drawing parallels with the rise of AI influencers online, Kapur pointed out that many digital stars today are not real people. “It’s already happening. Influencers created by AI are engaging millions. So, why not use this for films too?”

The filmmaker, known for classics like Mr. India and Elizabeth, emphasized that AI will unlock creative freedom for filmmakers, eliminating limitations posed by traditional casting.

“If I’m good enough, I’ll make an AI character that the audience will love as much as any superstar,” he concluded.

As the film world grapples with AI’s rise, Kapur’s remarks have sparked wide debate on the future of stardom.