What is in Raanjhanaa’s new AI-altered climax? Viral video from theatre

‘Raanjhanaa’, starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor in the lead, got a happy ending in its new AI-edited climax. The makers of the film released a new version in theatres this Friday, and it met with a thunderous response in theatres. At least a video going viral on social media from the screening of the Tamil version of the film suggests the same.

The climax, as recorded by a viewer in the theatre, shows Dhanush waking up from his deathbed, and the moment he opens his eyes, the audience erupts in cheers.

What is exactly happening in the newn climax of ‘Raanjhanaa’?

In the original climax, directed by Aanand L Rai, Dhanush’s character, Kundan, dies after participating in a rally. In the AI climax, we see him waking up in the hospital as his friends, played by Swara Bhasker and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, give teary smiles. We then see the beautiful flashbacks of his childhood memories, him meeting his younger self while walking the streets of Banaras so nostalgically shown in the film.

The new version of ‘Raanjhanaa’ has hit the theatres in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, where Dhanush enjoys a tremendous fan following. Earlier, Rai condemned the edited version of his film, calling it the death of creativity, and mentioned that this was not his film. He also said nobody from the film’s creative team agreed to providing a happy ending and using AI to do that.

In a social media post, he wrote, “I had no involvement in it. Nor did the team that originally made the film. Regardless of what it claims to be, this is not the film we set out to create. ‘Raanjhanaa’ was never just a film to us, it was a work crafted by human hands, shaped by human flaws and genuine emotion. What is currently being circulated is not a tribute, but a reckless hijacking that robs the piece of its intent, its context and its soul (sic).”

Meanwhile, while speaking to India Today, the producers of the film said it was a deeply thoughtful move to offer joy to the audience, and experiment with new technologies to comply with the standards of world cinema. In a long statement, Eros International said, “The re-release of ‘Raanjhanaa’ in the Tamil market is part of Eros International’s broader strategy to refresh and reintroduce classic cinematic works to newer audiences in regional markets. Over a decade since its original release, the film continues to resonate deeply, and the reinterpretation of its ending aims to extend its emotional legacy and relevance. This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters (sic).”

‘Raanjhanaa’, a love story also starring Abhay Deol, was originally released in theatres on June 21, 2013.