MUMBAI—The much-discussed AI-generated toddlers populating the initial glimpse of "Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai" were a calculated gambit, not a cinematic commitment. Sources embedded within the production now reveal these digital infants were solely conceived as a teaser-only device, a fleeting attempt to commandeer public attention.
The core of the matter: the controversial AI toddlers featured in the teaser were never slated for inclusion in the final film. Their appearance was a deliberate, short-term promotional tactic, designed to generate initial buzz. The film itself, helmed by David Dhawan and starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde, is understood to be shifting its promotional gears. A more conventional trailer, spotlighting the lead actors, is reportedly imminent.
The teaser, which dropped around April 14th, presented these AI creations in a dialogue about their shared father, Varun Dhawan's character, Jass, implying a complicated romantic entanglement. This element, combined with a re-recorded version of the song "Ishq Sona Hai Hai" from Dhawan's 1999 hit "Biwi No. 1," aimed to evoke a sense of nostalgia. However, the digital infants proved to be a significant distraction, overshadowing the film's introduction and sparking considerable online debate.
Read More: Film teaser babies not in movie; makers say AI was for attention
The decision to employ AI for the teaser appears to have been a strategic one, intended to capitalize on current digital trends and provoke conversation. This move, however, backfired for some, drawing criticism and a sense of unease from viewers who questioned the technology's intrusion into traditional filmmaking.
Despite the controversy surrounding the teaser's visual conceit, the production team is reportedly keen to steer the narrative toward the film's actual substance. Insiders suggest the film was shot using David Dhawan's established commercial style, with actors performing their roles on set, eschewing digital manipulation for the main narrative. The inclusion of these AI figures was a localized campaign impact asset, a launch element rather than an integral part of the cinematic fabric.
Read More: Wheel of Fortune India Season 2: Akshay Kumar May Host
The film itself, marking Varun Dhawan's fourth collaboration with his father, David Dhawan, follows a pattern of high-energy comedies that have previously included titles like "Main Tera Hero," "Judwaa 2," and "Coolie No.1." The latest offering attempts to marry this established formula with a modern promotional twist, a gamble that has certainly succeeded in drawing attention, albeit through an unexpected channel.
