In a recent intersection of cinema and Silicon Valley, veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan met with Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI, at the company's headquarters in San Francisco. The meeting has sparked considerable buzz among fans and industry insiders alike, highlighting Haasan's long-standing interest in technology and its potential to revolutionize filmmaking.
Haasan, known for his innovative approach to cinema and his eagerness to embrace new technologies, shared pictures of the meeting on social media platform X, expressing his inspiration from the visit. He lauded Srinivas's curiosity and ingenuity in creating the AI-powered search engine, stating, "From cinema to Silicon, the tools evolve -- but our thirst for what's next remains. Inspired by my visit to Perplexity HQ in San Francisco, where Indian ingenuity shines through Aravind Srinivas and his brilliant team building the future -- one question at a time. Curiosity didn't kill the cat -- it created Aravind Srinivas and PerplexityAI."
Srinivas reciprocated the sentiment, sharing a picture with Haasan and acknowledging the actor's passion for learning and incorporating cutting-edge technology into his filmmaking process, calling it "inspirational". The meeting underscores Haasan's commitment to integrating AI into his future projects, a vision he has articulated in various interviews.
This visit follows Haasan's recent attendance at the NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas, a major event for media, entertainment, and technology professionals. There, he explored the latest film equipment and innovations, further fueling speculation about the incorporation of advanced technologies in his upcoming movies.
Haasan's interest in AI is not new. Back in September 2024, he took a 45-day crash course on artificial intelligence at a top US institution, demonstrating his dedication to understanding and utilizing AI in cinema. He has often expressed his belief in the power of technology to enhance the movie-watching experience and elevate Indian cinema to new heights.
The meeting has also ignited speculation among fans, with many suggesting that Haasan should become a brand ambassador for Perplexity AI in India. This reflects the actor's image as a proponent of knowledge and self-learning, aligning with the AI search engine's mission to provide direct answers and facilitate information discovery.
Perplexity AI, founded by Aravind Srinivas, is an AI-powered search engine that has rapidly gained traction as a competitor to established players like Google and Microsoft-backed OpenAI. The company recently launched a freemium Deep Research product for expert-level analysis and is also developing an AI-powered web browser called Comet. Moreover, Perplexity AI is expanding its reach by integrating its search engine with messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
The company is also making waves in the investment world. It is reportedly in talks to raise between $500 million and $1 billion in new funding, potentially doubling its valuation to $18 billion. Perplexity AI has also launched a $50 million venture fund to invest in early-stage AI startups, further solidifying its position as a key player in the AI ecosystem.
Kamal Haasan's meeting with Aravind Srinivas serves as a powerful reminder of the evolving relationship between technology and creative industries. As AI continues to advance, its integration into filmmaking and other art forms promises to unlock new possibilities and transform the way stories are told. Haasan, with his forward-thinking approach and unwavering curiosity, is poised to be at the forefront of this exciting transformation.
