Three major international talents from Indian cinema are focusing on ‘Human in the Loop’ for the awards season. Directors Ritesh Batra and Shonak Sen are the executive producers of this film, which is aiming to win in the Best Original Screenplay category at the 98th Academy Awards.
With their support, the momentum continues for writer-director Aranya Sahay’s debut film produced by Mathivanan Rajendran. The story follows a woman from an indigenous community in rural India whose job involves teaching machine learning systems.
Sahai’s script builds a three-chapter structure around the question of how traditional wisdom intersects with technological advances. In this story, the protagonist’s job is similar to raising a child. The project was born out of a news article and took shape during a residency at the Museum of Future Imagination.
Director Batra of “The Lunchbox” reacted to the atmosphere of this movie as follows. “What struck me about ‘Humans in the Loop’ is its gentleness. It looks at the systems and the data, but it listens carefully to the people inside them, their needs to stop, compromise, and be seen,” he said.
Director Sen, whose “All That Breathe” won at Sundance and Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar, spoke about the philosophical aspects of the film. “‘Human in the Loop’ focuses on the quiet spaces where technology and lived experience meet. Rather than providing answers, the film lingers on the ethical uncertainties of technological advancement and the people whose lives are shaped by it,” he said.
Director Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) echoed this sentiment, saying, “The film is written in a way that reminds us that between technology and humanity there is something more ethereal, a responsibility of choice.”
Supporting the film, ‘Halo’ star Shabana Azmi emphasized on its relatable storytelling. “It’s a beautiful story told in a very simple and heartfelt way. It makes us sensitive to what’s going on around us in the world. It’s a film that touches and enriches us in so many ways,” she said.
Multiple collaborators were involved in the project process. Biggio Toppo joined as executive producer during development, with Kiran Rao promoting the release in India and Misak Kazimi overseeing the American expansion. Film Independent’s 2025 Sloan Distribution Grant, designated for science-focused productions, was used for this production.
The state’s engagement strategy includes advisors Ketki Parikh and Priya Samant working with several ambassadors, including Arun Shivdasani of the Indo-American Arts Council, chef Vikas Khanna, and media luminaries Medha Jaishankar and Sanjay Sharma.
Reflecting on his support network, director Sahai said, “I am so honored that the artists whose work inspired me were involved in this film. This film started as a short script and gradually evolved into the feature we see today. The journey has been a labor of love.”
Academy members gained access to the film through the organization’s screening platform earlier this year. Netflix released it in November. Beyond award consideration, the project is organizing discussion events centered around artificial intelligence and Indigenous perspectives.
