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The show must go on: How AI and Virtual Production can shape entertainment in 2024
Mumbai: As 2023 came to a close, it marked a turbulent year for the media and entertainment industry. Extended strikes by the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists led to a standstill for months, leaving wounds that are still healing.
Major layoffs followed, with big players like Netflix and Spotify facing tough new realities. Some studios even dimmed their lights, while others closed their doors for good, unable to withstand the storm.
But as the old saying goes, the show must go on. As the entertainment industry gears up for 2024, it’s grappling with the aftermath of the strikes while also looking ahead to the opportunities that digital technology offers.
Production delays might cast a shadow over the coming months, but there’s also excitement about a potential boom in Visual Effects work that could bring dormant screens back to life. However, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty.
Two rising stars in the digital ecosystem, artificial intelligence (AI) and Virtual Production, are eagerly waiting to shine in 2024.
AI allows creators to bring their wildest imaginations to life digitally, automating repetitive tasks and freeing them to focus on more valuable work. But not everyone in the industry is ready to roll out the red carpet for AI, with some fearing that it might overshadow their roles.
On the other hand, Virtual Production blends the physical and digital worlds, giving directors unprecedented control over the creative process. Its potential is limitless, constrained only by one’s imagination. However, significant financial and technical challenges need to be addressed before Virtual Production can take a bow as the next big thing in entertainment.
India’s smaller VFX studios, known for their meticulous visual work for foreign firms, are particularly unsettled by the upheavals of 2023 and the digital transition of 2024.
As AI continues to rise, there are concerns that it might master even these niche visual skills, especially after 2025. With their success tied to the ever-changing international market, India’s boutique studios face complex decisions about their future.
The main drama of the next act lies in the interplay between digital promise and disruption.
As the industry moves towards virtual platforms, it’s a delicate balancing act to progress without losing too many of its current stars before new ones can take their place. This profound change calls for careful, compassionate steps, gradually embracing new technologies while staying true to the creative traditions that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
If the industry can strike the right balance between the past and the future, 2024 might see a broader revival from the creative low point of 2023.
Just as the bitter end of this year’s strikes planted the seeds for collective renewal, digital disruption can also bring new opportunities. Despite the apprehension surrounding the coming year, with careful planning, the entertainment industry can continue to write its next exciting chapter. As the curtains rise on 2024, it’s ready to weave both virtual and genuine digital magic into creative existence.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
