Aranya Sahay’s Acclaimed Debut, a Groundbreaking Blend of AI, Parenthood, and Adivasi Storytelling, Makes Unprecedented Journey from Grassroots Screenings to Pan-India Theatrical Run with PVR Group
“Humans In The Loop,” directed by Aranya Sahay, is a remarkable independent film that has taken a unique path to reach audiences. Its journey from a small film festival premiere to a countrywide commercial release exemplifies resilience and innovation in the film industry, particularly for independent projects in India.
“Humans In The Loop” is a captivating Hindi-Kurukh film released in 2024. Nehma, an Adivasi woman of the Oraon tribe, portrayed by Sonal Madhushankar, comes back to her village with her children, twelve-year-old Dhaanu and one-year-old Guntu, after her divorce. She begins her work as a data labeller, instructing the ‘childlike’ AI models to recognize images. As Nehma deals with the challenge of relating to Dhaanu – who has a bias against village life and is perpetually tempted to escape back to the city – she also realizes that the AI she is working with is absorbing harmful human biases, reflecting the prejudices against her own community.
The film made its debut at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in October 2024. Initial attendance was low, as many attendees were unaware of its presence. However, the film began to gather attention after a few screenings. The excitement spread like wildfire, especially after Chalchitra Talks, a film recommendation platform, highlighted it as a noteworthy discovery of the festival.
Throughout its festival circuit, Humans in the Loop achieved notable milestones, winning the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and Best Debut Film at the New York Indian Film Festival. This recognition, however, was not merely an end in itself but part of a strategic effort to broaden its audience beyond festival walls.
Aranya Sahay is a filmmaker from India, currently residing in Mumbai. He pursued his studies in Direction at FTII, Pune. Following his education, he worked as an Associate Director and Director’s Assistant under Imtiaz Ali and Patrick Graham. He has directed five short films, with ‘Songs for Babasaheb’ and ‘Chait’ being featured at the Mumbai International Film Festival, Signs Film Festival, and Jaffna Film Festival. His film ‘Saaya’ was selected as a ‘Film Bazaar Recommends’ project in 2021. Additionally, he was a participant and grant recipient in the Museum of Imagined Futures Impact Fellowship Programme in 2023.
“Humans in the Loop” (2024)
The film draws inspiration from a noteworthy article by journalist Karishma Mehrotra called “Human Touch,” published in FiftyTwo. Central to the film is the theme of AI bias. It particularly emphasizes how these biases can disproportionately affect women in the tech industry. The narrative not only showcases the essential roles women play in data annotation and algorithm development but also questions how marginalized communities are portrayed and treated by modern AI systems.
Recognizing that independent films often struggle to gain mainstream visibility, Sahay and his producer, Mathivanan Rajendran, diligently expanded the film’s outreach. They engaged in grassroots campaigns, organizing screenings in community spaces, universities, and cultural centers across India, such as the Bangalore International Centre and JNU. Sahay personally attended these events, sometimes inviting experts for discussions, thus enhancing audience interest and participation.
This engagement resulted in robust feedback, with many attendees sharing their experiences on social media. The excitement generated by these screenings contributed significantly to the film’s buzz, making it a hot topic of conversation in and beyond the festival circuit.
In September 2025, after establishing a strong foundation, “Humans In The Loop” moved toward a limited commercial release, backed by filmmaker Kiran Rao. This step is quite rare for independent films in India, emphasizing the film’s unique journey. Its rollout involved screenings in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, demonstrating a model of decentralized distribution aimed at building localized film communities.
Biju Toppo, who has won the National Award three times for his ethnographic films, is also an Executive Producer for ‘Humans In the Loop’.
Looking ahead, Aranya plans to maintain the momentum of the film’s message beyond its commercial release. He seeks to show the film in various communities, including the village where it was filmed, Sarugarhi, and at festivals dedicated to indigenous stories. Furthermore, Aranya has ambitions to present the film to high-level officials, including the President of India—a testament to his dedication to using film as a medium for impactful storytelling.
- Film Overview:
- Title: Humans in the Loop
- Language: Hindi and Kurukh
- Director: Aranya Sahay
- Producers: Mathivanan Rajendran, Shilpa Kumar, Sarabhi Ravichandran
- Production Companies: Storiculture, Museum of Imagined Futures, SAUV Films
- Release Date: 2024
- Running Time: 72 minutes
- Country: India
Key Messages
- AI Bias: The film aptly illustrates how biases embedded in artificial intelligence can mirror historical social inequalities, particularly those related to gender and culture.
- Women in Technology: It pays homage to women who contribute significantly to technology behind the scenes, often without recognition.
- Social Impact: Developed through the Storiculture Impact Fellowship, Humans in the Loop aims to promote socially relevant narratives in cinema.
- Intersection of Tech and Society: The film was created in collaboration with the Museum of Imagined Futures, emphasizing how technology and social dynamics interact.
“Humans In The Loop” stands as a testament to what independent filmmakers can achieve through determination and community engagement. Its journey from obscurity to commercial recognition inspires other filmmakers about the power of storytelling, grassroots distribution, and the importance of nurturing conversations around complex issues like technology and motherhood. As Aranya continues to champion this unique film, its legacy will likely resonate deeply within and beyond Indian cinema.
Ref: Instagram
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