In a world where digital doubles and computer-generated explosions have become the industry standard, Bollywood’s original “Khiladi,” Akshay Kumar, is drawing a line in the sand. During a recent press interaction for his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, the 58-year-old martial arts expert expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current state of action cinema, labeling the heavy reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Visual Effects (VFX) as “hollow” and “fake.”
Kumar, known for performing high-octane stunts throughout his three-decade career, argued that the soul of action is being lost to the convenience of technology.
“There is a huge difference in the way action films are being made today. Earlier, the action would be real; now, everything is done in VFX. It’s not fun as it feels fake. I want to make a film which is real,” Kumar told PTI.
The “Painting” vs. “Print” Analogy
To illustrate his point, the actor compared the experience of watching modern action to viewing a digital print of a masterpiece versus the original canvas.
Real Action: Like a handmade painting, it may have minor flaws, but the effort and human touch are palpable to the audience.
AI/VFX Action: Like a digital print, it may look “perfect,” but it lacks the weight and resonance of reality.
“The audience can feel how much effort is being put in,” Kumar explained. “I’m saying this in the era of AI and people may think what they wish to, but I want to do an action film that is a real action film.”
A Stand Against “Lazy” Filmmaking
For Kumar, the frustration isn’t just about the aesthetics—it’s about the craft. He criticized the trend of using 15 people or digital wires to help an actor execute a simple kick.
He emphasized that when he jumps, he wants to actually jump, without the safety net of post-production “fixing” the physics of the move.
Beyond the Screen: The Battle with Deepfakes
This isn’t the first time the actor has voiced concerns about AI. Over the past year, Kumar has been at the forefront of a legal battle against the misuse of his likeness. In late 2025, he approached the Bombay High Court to protect his personality rights after a series of AI-generated deepfake videos—including a fake trailer showing him as Maharishi Valmiki—went viral.
The court subsequently granted him protection, citing the “alarming” realism of these digital clones. For Kumar, the fight is two-fold: protecting his identity from AI manipulation and protecting the integrity of the action genre from AI replacement.
What’s Next for the Khiladi?
As he prepares for the release of Bhooth Bangla with director Priyadarshan, fans are eager to see if Kumar will lead a “New Wave” of practical-effects-only cinema. By rejecting the “perfect” look of AI, Akshay Kumar is betting that audiences still crave the sweat, grit, and genuine danger that made him a superstar in the first place. To know such
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