EXPLORING THE LIMITATIONS OF AI IN CREATIVITY
“AI hasn’t had its mother die, its heart broken by any woman, or the world slam it —so we’re safe for now,” quips Javed Akhtar, a renowned poet, lyricist, and screenwriter. As he prepares for his eagerly anticipated participation at Jashn-e-Rekhta in Dubai this weekend, Akhtar elaborates on the core of authentic creativity, the constraints of artificial intelligence, and the modern-day hurdles of writing in an increasingly aware society. A significant contributor to Indian cinema, Akhtar also reflects on the shifting nature of storytelling, expressing his enthusiasm for contemporary OTT platforms and his intentions to return to scriptwriting. Excerpts from our interview follow…
HIS EXCITEMENT FOR CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS IN DUBAI
You are in Dubai for Jashn-e-Rekhta this weekend, an event that has become iconic for cultural aficionados. Are you as excited?
Absolutely! I’ve been involved with Jashn-e-Rekhta right from the very first festival, and I don’t think I’ve missed any, as far as I remember. It’s a great event. First of all, one has to be so proud that it is India that has given the world such a platform for Urdu … It’s very heartening, very encouraging. One feels that there is no reason to be disappointed or disillusioned about the future of the younger generation. They have tremendous curiosity about literature and poetry, and they are the majority of attendees every time. They listen to discussions with total attention. It’s not just fun for them; you can feel they are imbibing, they are learning.
AN INSIGHT INTO AI’S CREATIVE POTENTIAL
We live in an era where AI tools like ChatGPT are used for everything, even writing love letters. As someone who has spent countless hours crafting poetry and scripts, how do you feel about this?
Artificial intelligence has a great future, and we can’t even imagine what it will ultimately become because of the way it’s progressing. But at the moment, it has its own limitations. AI is dependent on data, so it doesn’t have its own creative thinking. But believe me, that will be achieved—perhaps in 10 years, five years, or 20 years, who knows? I was at a conference about AI in Delhi, and I said I must have made at least 200 songs, if not more, with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Suppose instead of 200, I had made only 199, and that 200th song would have been Breathless. Do you think AI could have created that song? No, because it is not in the data. At this moment, AI has limitations.
AI is wonderful if you want to write a letter to the municipal corporation or an application for a job or holiday. It deals with matter-of-fact things. But creativity requires a leap—creating something that doesn’t exist in the data. Most paintings, music, and literature are not truly creative; they are echoes, not voices. Creativity is when something entirely new is made, like Henry Ford putting the automobile on a conveyor belt. At this point, AI is not capable of true creativity. It’s competent, but this is just the beginning. I’m sure someday it will become capable of much more, even creating its own systems without human intervention.
EVALUATING AI’S IMPACT ON HUMAN JOBS
As a journalist, I sometimes worry about AI making us redundant. Do you think that’s possible?
You never know. We have made so many species redundant on this planet. For the first time, something may happen—a new entity might come into existence that could make us redundant. There’s so much research being done on DNA and genes to create a superhuman. People such as Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking believed that humans subconsciously feel two hands are inadequate, which is why gods and goddesses are often depicted with four hands. It’s possible that in the future, genetic changes could lead to humans with four hands and much higher IQs. At the same time, computers will continue evolving. In 100 or 200 years, we might see the final battle between these new entities.
REFLECTING ON A BROADER PERCEPTION IN THE FILM INDUSTRY
Your documentary Angry Young Men was a fascinating insight into your journey as a screenwriter. Did it change the way people perceive you?
The response to the documentary has been incredible. Even now, wherever I go—on flights, at hotels, or in airports—people bring it up and talk about how much they enjoyed it. Filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap often express their disillusionment with Bollywood, saying they want to retire and work in industries like Malayalam cinema. Do you think Bollywood needs a revival, perhaps from someone like you? I don’t know. I mean, nothing comes exactly the same way. It changes with time because times have changed. So you have to be new, you have to be different. But yes, I realize that it has been a bit too long since I’ve written scripts. I have now concentrated in that direction and done some work. Let me see how the market takes it—that is to be seen.
NAVIGATING TODAY’S “WOKE” SOCIETY AS A WRITER
We live in a very “woke” time now. Characters and stories can offend people, and writers face the risk of being canceled. How do you handle such challenges?
Every day, people have become too sensitive. You know, their sentiments get hurt. Have you ever heard a rationalist complain that their sentiments were hurt? Has any atheist ever told you that their sentiments were hurt? Why is it that only religious, conservative, or traditionalist people say their sentiments are hurt? Because they don’t have anything except for sentiments. They can’t defend their point of view with logic, reason, or proof. So since they don’t have those things, they rely on their sentiments. Anybody who says “My sentiments are hurt” is not a very logical person.
I was talking to Sudeep Sharma, the writer of Paatal Lok, recently. He mentioned how writers today are given a wide berth. Do you think this shift in focus on writers is a positive sign?
It’s wonderful! And please, if you know Sudeep Sharma, do convey my congratulations to him. I watched Paatal Lok in one go—it’s brilliant writing. I’ve seen the first season as well, and it’s exceptional.
ASSESSING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CINEMA AND OTT PLATFORMS
In today’s “woke” era, writers often face backlash for offending someone. How do you navigate these challenges?
People have become overly sensitive. Have you ever heard a rationalist or atheist complain that their sentiments are hurt? No, because their worldview is rooted in reason and logic. People who rely solely on their sentiments often lack the ability to defend their views with rational arguments. As a writer, I try to be reasonable and thoughtful, but I believe sentiments should enrich life, not make it bitter, aggressive, or hostile.
Do you feel inspired by the exceptional content being created for OTT platforms?
Yes, but the audience for OTT is very different from that of cinema halls. A successful OTT series might not work as a theatrical release. It’s a question worth exploring, but there’s no definitive answer yet.
THE ROLE OF ACTORS IN SCRIPT SUCCESS
Do you think good actors can save mediocre scripts?
Not at all. A good actor will convey the mediocrity so effectively that it becomes obvious. Mediocre films often succeed with mediocre actors because their limitations mask the script’s flaws. A bad script needs bad actors to survive.
Lastly, what keeps you motivated as a writer?
Writing combines two elements—art and craft. Art involves imagination, passion, and dreams, while craft is calculated and objective. These two opposing forces come together to create something beautiful. Writing is an exercise in contradiction, where you’re deeply emotional yet calculating every word for its impact. That’s the essence of creativity.
What: Jashn-e-Rekhta Dubai
When: February 1 and 2
Where: Zabeel Park, Dubai
Significance: The world’s largest celebration of Urdu language, literature, and culture.
Highlights: Featuring over 50 artists and speakers including Ali Sethi, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Javed Akhtar, Piyush Mishra, Ilahi Sufi Qawaali and more.