In an age where technology is rapidly reshaping our lives, the conversation around creativity and innovation has taken a new turn. Munnawar Faruqui, content creator-actor-singer, raises a thought-provoking concern: Is AI a double-edged sword? Munnawar, who is currently keeping his fans engaged with the release of ‘First Copy,’ a crime-thriller revolving around a piracy empire, recently sat down with ETimes for a candid cup of conversation. During the same time, he shared his unfiltered view on how privacy impacts the entertainment business. He also expressed his views on AI being a bigger threat. Here are the excerpts from the conversation..
Content can be good, bad, or ugly, but piracy is simply wrong
Piracy has been a sad reality of the entertainment industry. Earlier, it was limited to pirated CDs; now it has taken the shape of a digital monster. And with every passing year, its impact hollows the industry from the roots. Elaborating on the same with an example, Munnawar shares, “It’s like if one production spends, there are 200-300 people that are connected with, and everyone earns from it. It’s not that they don’t get money if there is piracy, but it becomes difficult for the production houses to bear something like this next time.” “Continuously working on that production cost, with the same effort, becomes difficult; so, it is like everyone is at a loss if there is piracy. And you said it correctly that piracy is the sad reality, and that is why we want to make good content that travels, even if it’s good or bad, piracy should not be done,” he added.
According to Munnawar, the audience should act responsibly to bring about a change. “The audience should take responsibility for this. If they want to see entertainment, then they have to make some efforts.”
Is AI a bigger threat?
“I think it will make the future generation lethargic,” responds Munnawar while speaking on the subject of AI’s not-so-subtle takeover.“It is already happening with the market; like, now you can bring things directly to your home. Earlier, you used to go to the market and walk, which was a good thing. Similarly, if AI is doing all your work, it will make you lethargic,” says the actor.He continues, “The young generation, the small children, are making all their projects on AI. This kills your creativity, and your thinking power is restricted. You will never go to the second option because you are writing one line and getting the poster or the story. So, I think it is bad for us. The people who don’t want to work themselves or the people who think it is easier, are using AI.” He added, “I don’t like the way AI is because it kills creativity. I have not yet used it so far, don’t even know what the software is.” On the contrary, when the ‘First Copy’ director Farhan P. Zamma shared a different opinion, Munnawar concluded by saying, “As Farhan bhai said, ‘we have to upgrade by time’ – but this is something I don’t want to upgrade. It will affect me if I use it.”
