Humanising Technology: Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 and the Emotional Dynamics of AI Companions

Integrating AI-powered humanoid devices into daily life has altered human perceptions of relationships, companionship, and care. This paper critically examines these shifts through the lens of the Malayalam film Android Kunjappan Version 5.25, which serves as a cultural case study. It investigates how such technologies disrupt and redefine traditional emotional dynamics, reducing the boundaries between humans and machines. By utilising theoretical frameworks such as posthumanism and examining the socio-economic disparities in technological access, the paper explores the dual role of AI companions as both facilitators and disruptors of human emotional ecosystems. Through this exploration, the study contributes to broader debates on the ethical, cultural, and societal implications of human-technology entanglements in a global context.