Can an iPhone replace a professional film camera? At the MAMI Select Festival 2025, acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and director Amrita Bagchi joined Aayush Ailawadi of Fortune India to discuss how smartphones—particularly the iPhone 16 Pro Max—are transforming the way stories are told on screen. Motwane, known for his inventive approach to cinema, shared his belief that smartphones have matured into serious filmmaking tools. With features like RAW capture, enhanced audio capabilities, and high-resolution video, he argues that mobile devices now offer filmmakers a legitimate alternative to traditional professional gear. Bagchi, whose film Tinctoria was showcased at the festival, spoke about the accessibility that smartphone filmmaking brings. Her film, like three others featured at MAMI, was shot entirely on an iPhone. She emphasized how this democratizes the filmmaking process, making it easier for new and independent voices to tell their stories without the burden of expensive equipment. The conversation also touched on how this shift is particularly significant in India, where financial barriers often limit access to professional cameras and lenses. Motwane noted that smartphones are opening up opportunities for regional cinema and emerging filmmakers who previously lacked the resources to bring their visions to life. This insightful discussion offers a glimpse into the evolving intersection of technology and storytelling, and what it means for the future of cinema.
