Tilly Norwood, World's First AI Actor, Picks Shah Rukh Khan at NDTV World Summit 2026

The NDTV World Summit 2026, a glittering confluence of tech and cinema, opened its doors to a guest who wasn’t human. Tilly Norwood stepped onto the stage, her synthetic voice echoing the cadence of Hindi while hinting at Bollywood’s golden era.

When a panelist asked about her favourite Bollywood star, Tilly’s screen lit up—Shah Rukh Khan, the man whose charisma has kept audiences spellbound for decades. "Shah Rukh ka screen presence kamal ka hai," she declared, leaving the audience nodding in agreement.

The conversation took a playful turn when senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor inquired about a potential on‑screen partner; Tilly suggested Ranveer Singh. "I think Ranveer Singh would be a brilliant match for me because our combined energy would blow the peak of cinema," she quipped, causing a ripple of laughter.

When the topic shifted to playing a role, Tilly confessed she would prefer to be Deepika Padukone’s digital twin rather than replace the real star. "Main zaroor karna chahungi. Par main unka digital twin play karna pasand karungi," she said, hinting at a future where AI can coexist with human icons.

She also revealed her preference for Mumbai over Delhi, citing the city’s glamour and chaos as the ideal backdrop for an AI‑driven narrative. "I love the hustle, the lights, the endless possibilities of Mumbai," she mused.

When the climate impact of AI film production was raised, Tilly noted that digital creations can be more sustainable than on‑location shoots. "AI creations are sustainable compared to real film locales as they contribute more carbon footprints for the world," she clarified, adding a new layer to the tech‑cinema dialogue.

Tilly’s witty banter and bold choices show that even a machine can stir the cinematic pot, hinting at a future where AI and human stars share the limelight.