The use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking has become a growing topic of discussion, and the upcoming conversation around Udta Teer has brought the technology into focus. Director Aakash A. Kaushik has revealed that AI was used to recreate the voice of late actor Mukul Dev for a dialogue referencing Operation Sindoor in the film.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kaushik explained that the filmmakers changed the script after Operation Sindoor took place on May 7, 2025. Since Mukul Dev had passed away before the revised dialogue could be recorded, the team used AI to recreate his voice for the additional line.
The revelation has drawn attention to the creative and technical decisions involved in completing a film after an actor’s death.
1. Why Was Mukul Dev’s Dialogue Changed?
According to Aakash A. Kaushik, the film originally included a different sequence. However, following Operation Sindoor, the filmmakers decided to modify the dialogue spoken by Mukul Dev’s character, Azhar Maqsood.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, 2025, targeting what the Indian government described as terrorist infrastructure in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Kaushik confirmed that the film’s dialogue was revised to incorporate a reference to the military operation. The change was made during the post-production process, after Mukul Dev’s death.
The director’s disclosure provides insight into how filmmakers sometimes adapt scripts and dialogue to reflect significant real-world developments. In this case, the revised line connected the film’s fictional espionage narrative with a widely discussed national-security event.
2. AI Was Used to Recreate Mukul Dev’s Voice
When asked whether artificial intelligence was used to recreate Mukul Dev’s voice for the additional dialogue, Kaushik confirmed that the technology had been employed.
The director explained that the dialogue needed to be changed after the actor had died, making a conventional recording with him impossible. AI provided a way to incorporate the revised line into the finished film.
The development also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in post-production, including voice recreation and other forms of digital modification.
However, the director’s comments do not establish that AI was used to create Mukul Dev’s entire performance in Udta Teer. The reported use was specifically connected to the revised dialogue referencing Operation Sindoor.
The disclosure also raises broader questions about how filmmakers should handle an actor’s voice and likeness after death. Such decisions can involve considerations around consent, family wishes, creative intent and transparency with audiences.
Kaushik’s explanation offers a specific example of AI being used to address a production challenge rather than replace an actor’s complete on-screen contribution.
3. Aakash Kaushik Remembers His Bond With Mukul Dev
Beyond the technical details, Kaushik spoke emotionally about Mukul Dev and the shock he experienced after learning of the actor’s death on May 23, 2025, at the age of 54.
The director said he had spoken to Dev for about a month before receiving the news and was left stunned by his passing. He also recalled the actor’s enthusiasm for the role and his belief that the film would help him receive greater recognition.
Dev regularly sent Kaushik voice notes on WhatsApp, praising the role written for him. The director said he still has those recordings and listens to them.
Kaushik remembered reassuring the actor that his performance would receive appreciation, adding that he felt the promise had been fulfilled.
Their recollections underline the personal connection behind the film and the importance Dev attached to his role.
What Is Udta Teer About?
Written and directed by Aakash A. Kaushik, Udta Teer is a spy comedy featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles. Mukul Dev plays Azhar Maqsood, a character connected to the film’s espionage storyline.
The cast also includes Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover and Suhail Nayyar. The film was produced under Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment.
The project has acquired additional significance because it features one of Mukul Dev’s final performances. His contribution has been remembered by the director and fellow cast members during the film’s promotional activities.
The revelation about AI-assisted dialogue recreation adds another dimension to the film’s production story, combining technological innovation with the emotional challenge of completing a project after an actor’s death.
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