A Comparative analysis of Artificial Intelligence Characters in Film and Fiction

 Enthiran, Machines like Me, and Klara and the Sun

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70042/eroth/1003259

Keywords:

Posthumanism; Artificial Intelligence; Human–Machine Relationships; AI Companionship; Ethics; Emotions; Comparative Study; Science Fiction

Abstract

The article examines the representation of artificial intelligence and the relationship between human beings and robots in literature and movie. The objective of this article is to compare the humanoid robot Chitti from the movie Enthiran with the AI characters Adam from the novel Machines Like Me and Klara from the novel Klara and the Sun, in order to focus on how these characters serve as companions to human beings, and how they try to understand human feelings and imitate care and love. The methodology used in this study is a comparative approach to identify the different narrative portrayals of AI companions and how they understand human emotions. In the movie Enthiran, Chitti is designed to serve human beings, especially for military purposes. In contrast, Adam and Klara are created as companions for human beings. Fear arises when the robots think that they are replaceable. Chitti transforms from an obedient machine into an independent leader, while Adam struggles to understand the difference between human emotions and logical thinking, and Klara observes and imitates human affection, love, and care. Through this comparison, the study explores whether AI feelings are real and what it means to be human.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1) Ishiguro, Kazuo. Klara and the Sun. Faber & Faber, 2021.

2) McEwan, Ian. Machines Like Me. Jonathan Cape, 2019.

3) Enthiran. Directed by S. Shankar, performances by Rajinikanth and AishwaryaRaiBachchan, Sun Pictures, 2010.

4) Tirosh‐Samuelson, H. (2012). TRANSHUMANISM AS A SECULARIST FAITH. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, 47(4), 710–734.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2012.01288.x

5) Schaefer, C., Lemmer, K., SamyKret, K., Ylinen, M., Mikalef, P., &Niehaves, B. (2021, January 1). Truth or Dare? – How can we Influence the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Municipalities? https://doi.org/10.24251/hicss.2021.286

6) Singh, A. D. (2023). AI and Digital Sentience in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun (pp. 232–254). Igi Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0802-8.ch011

7) Sen, N. (2021). Artificial Intelligences Are Subsets of Human Beings, Mainly in Fictions and Films (pp. 598–618). Igi Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-6985-6.ch028

8) Chen, S., & She, W. (2023). Values and Ethics - How Artificial Intelligence Will Better Serve Humanity (pp. 296–300). Atlantis Press Sarl. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-97-8_37

9) Mudunuri, L. N. R., & Bhattacharya, P. (2024). Ethical Considerations Balancing Emotion and Autonomy in AI Systems (pp. 443–456). Igi Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-7011-7.ch023

Downloads

Published

2026-07-30

How to Cite

A Comparative analysis of Artificial Intelligence Characters in Film and Fiction:  Enthiran, Machines like Me, and Klara and the Sun. (2026). Erothanatos: A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Journal on Literature, 10(3), 37-44. https://doi.org/10.70042/eroth/1003259