AI Drama ‘Humans in the Loop’ Adds Kiran Rao, Biju Toppo as Executive Producers (EXCLUSIVE)

According To The variety Indian filmmakers Kiran Rao and Biju Toppo have joined as executive producers on “Humans in the Loop,” the Fipresci India Grand Prix-winning feature about an indigenous Adivasi woman working as an AI data-labeller. The move represents a significant boost for the indie feature, which explores urgent themes around artificial intelligence, labor and indigenous knowledge systems. Set in Jharkhand, northern India, the film follows Nehma, an Oraon Adivasi woman whose AI data-labelling work exposes the hidden labor powering “smart” technologies. Adivasis are India’s indigenous tribal communities, comprising roughly 8% of the country’s population. Directed by Aranya Sahay and produced by Mathivanan Rajendran, Sarabhi Ravichandran, Shilpa Kumar and Aranya through Storiculture’s Impact Fellowship and Sauv Films, the drama examines how technological progress can entrench exclusion while sidelining indigenous knowledge systems. Rao, whose “Laapataa Ladies” served as India’s official Academy Awards entry in 2024, continues her support of independent cinema following her involvement with Anand Gandhi’s “Ship of Theseus” and Karan Tejpal’s “Stolen.” Toppo, a veteran of Adivasi cinema known for documenting indigenous communities, praised the film’s authentic perspective. “This film speaks directly to the lives of people I personally have known and seen. For too long, Adivasi perspectives has remained invisible, not just in history, but even in how we imagine the future,” he said. “Having seen the film from its inception I’m proud to say that it’s both a regional film and a global at the same time.” “Humans in the Loop” recently shared the Fipresci India Grand Prix honor alongside Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light.” The recognition comes as the film prepares for theatrical release through an alternative distribution model supported by the Museum of Imagined Futures’ Impact Distribution fund. “Independent filmmaking is often described as walking a tightrope. Knowing that Kiran Rao and Biju Toppo are championing ‘Humans in the Loop’ gives us immense courage,” director Sahay said. “It has taken a year of consistent outreach through micro-community screenings to reach a momentum to release the film theatrically.” The film opens Sept. 5 in Mumbai, followed by releases in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru from Sept. 12. The makers are also launching a “cinema of the people” initiative, allowing audiences to request screenings in their cities.