Shekhar Kapur has revealed plans to launch an AI-based film school in Mumbai’s Dharavi slums, according to a report in Variety. The veteran filmmaker has already been running The Dharavi Project along with A R Rahman in the slums, facilitating a musical education in hip-hop and rap for kids living in the slum.

Speaking about it to Variety, Shekhar said that several kids have become national stars because of The Dharavi Project. He also said that people have been telling him to start a film school in the slum and the main reason for him to take the decision now is due to the push of AI in cinema. He also spoke on the striking relevance of AI and called it the most ‘democratic technology’ and how anyone can make a short-film with the help of AI these days.

More details on the launch of the school are not yet confirmed. However, the filmmaker said that work has already begun on it.

Shekhar is known for directing films like Masoom (1983), Mr. India (1987) and Bandit Queen (1994), among others. He recently announced a sequel to Masoom, which will go in production in 2025.