Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of cinema at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026. Speaking alongside his daughter Meghna Ghai Puri, he addressed how artificial intelligence and over-the-top platforms are reshaping creative processes while underscoring that the core of filmmaking continues to rest on strong storytelling and emotional connection. The session formed part of the two-day event held on October 9 and 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai under the broader theme of identifying India’s next gateways to growth.
The Conclave Setting and the Storytelling Session
The India Today Conclave Mumbai brought together voices from politics, business, technology, cinema, sport and culture. Within the cultural segment, the conversation titled “AI, OTT and The New Rules of Storytelling” featured Ghai, the director, producer and founder of Whistling Woods International, and Meghna Ghai Puri, who serves as president of the film school. Their discussion examined the practical and philosophical shifts occurring in the industry as new tools and distribution models become more prominent.
Ghai has long been associated with large-scale, emotionally driven cinema. His body of work has emphasised narrative clarity, character arcs and the ability of films to connect with wide audiences. At the conclave, the focus turned to how technology is altering production methods, post-production possibilities and audience reach, while the fundamental requirement for compelling stories remains unchanged.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Replacement
In the session, the conversation explored the dual nature of technological advancement. Artificial intelligence offers new capabilities in visual effects, editing assistance, script analysis and even personalised content recommendations. Over-the-top platforms have expanded the avenues through which stories reach viewers, creating opportunities for both mainstream and specialised narratives.
Yet Ghai’s remarks centred on the enduring importance of human elements. Technology may accelerate processes and expand visual possibilities, but the emotional resonance that draws audiences to a film continues to depend on well-crafted characters, coherent plots and authentic feeling. This distinction between tools and essence has been a recurring theme among experienced filmmakers as the industry navigates rapid change. The discussion positioned AI and digital platforms as enablers rather than substitutes for the creative intuition that shapes memorable cinema.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
Meghna Ghai Puri addressed the responsibilities of continuing a family legacy in the film education and production space. As president of Whistling Woods International, she oversees an institution founded by her father that trains the next generation of filmmakers, technicians and storytellers. Her comments reflected on the balance between preserving foundational values of craft and adapting to contemporary realities of the industry.
The intergenerational exchange highlighted both continuity and evolution. While the tools available to students and professionals have expanded dramatically, the emphasis on narrative discipline, emotional honesty and audience connection remains a constant. The presence of both father and daughter on the same platform illustrated how institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives can coexist within the same creative ecosystem.
Broader Context of Indian Cinema’s Ambitions
The conclave took place at a moment when Indian cinema continues to pursue projects of significant scale and cultural resonance. Large mythological and historical narratives, in particular, have drawn substantial investment and global attention. Discussions around storytelling techniques gain added relevance when applied to such ambitious undertakings, where the challenge lies in translating familiar epics into contemporary cinematic language without losing emotional depth.
Ghai’s career has included films that combined commercial appeal with strong narrative foundations. His observations at the conclave therefore carried the weight of long experience. By stressing that storytelling and emotion will remain central even as technology advances, he offered a measured counterpoint to purely technology-driven optimism. The message was that innovation succeeds most effectively when it serves the story rather than overshadowing it.
Implications for Future Filmmakers
The session also carried practical implications for those entering the industry. Whistling Woods International, under the leadership of Meghna Ghai Puri, continues to prepare students for an environment in which technical proficiency and narrative skill must develop together. Understanding artificial intelligence tools, platform algorithms and global distribution patterns is increasingly necessary. At the same time, the ability to construct emotionally coherent stories remains the foundation upon which technical skills deliver value.
Ghai’s emphasis on the primacy of storytelling serves as a reminder that audiences ultimately respond to characters and conflicts they can care about. Visual spectacle and technological innovation can enhance a film, yet they rarely compensate for weaknesses in the underlying narrative. This perspective is especially pertinent as the industry experiments with new formats, shorter attention spans and international co-productions.
A Consistent Creative Philosophy
Throughout his career, Subhash Ghai has advocated for cinema that speaks to both the heart and the imagination. The conclave appearance reinforced that philosophy in the context of current technological shifts. By participating alongside his daughter, he also demonstrated the importance of institutional continuity and the transfer of values across generations of filmmakers and educators.
The conversation at India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026 did not present technology as a threat or as an unqualified solution. Instead, it framed AI and OTT platforms as developments that require thoughtful integration. The enduring elements of filmmaking—story structure, emotional authenticity and the capacity to move audiences—continue to define the difference between fleeting novelty and lasting work.
As Indian cinema expands its technical capabilities and global footprint, the insights shared by Ghai and Meghna Ghai Puri underscore a simple but essential principle. Tools will evolve, distribution models will multiply, and production methods will become more sophisticated. The stories that endure, however, will still be those that connect with human experience at a fundamental level. That conviction, rooted in decades of practice and now carried forward through education and ongoing dialogue, remains central to the discussion of cinema’s future.
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