Aanand L Rai slams re-release of Raanjhanaa with AI-powered climax

12 years after its original release, the cult romantic drama ‘Raanjhanaa’ is returning to cinemas on August 1. But this time, the re-release comes with a major twist. As promotional posters declare, the film features ‘a new ending powered by Artificial Intelligence.’ However, this decision has sparked controversy, as director and co-producer Aanand L Rai claimed he was neither informed nor consulted by the studio, Eros International, before making such a significant change to the original narrative.

In an interview with SCREEN, Rai shared, “I got to know through social media announcement a couple of days ago. People have already been messaging me asking me why that ending is being changed. I just can’t wrap my head around this.”

The filmmaker, disturbed by the unilateral move, contacted Eros International to express his objection. When his concerns were dismissed, he decided to formally request that his name be removed from the AI-altered version of the film.

“I don’t get it. How can they do this? It’s an ending people have loved! If not the filmmaker, at least listen to the audience,” he said. The AI-generated version reportedly rewrites the film’s tragic ending by keeping Dhanush’s character, Kundan, alive, a complete shift from the powerful, emotional climax that made the original so memorable.

“What is a happy ending? It’s a tragedy, that’s an emotion. How can you meddle with emotions? The voice of the film lies in that ending,” Rai added.

He also raised concerns about the broader implications of using AI to alter creative works without the creator’s permission. “The only good thing that’s come out of this is I’ve learnt my lesson. I’ve to be very careful while signing the dotted line. A studio doesn’t care about the story. Just to earn a few crores, they’re tampering with a writer, director, and actor’s creation,” he said, warning fellow filmmakers to be cautious with their rights.

Eros International has reportedly sold the new AI-edited version of ‘Raanjhanaa’ to Upswing Entertainment, a Tamil Nadu-based distributor. Rai suspects this move is a market test to gauge response in a region where his banner doesn’t have a major presence. “But if you commit a crime in Rome, it’s still a crime! Even if you’re releasing it in Tamil Nadu, where we don’t have that much of a presence, but my actor does. And I’m responsible for what happens to his image there with my film,” he said, referring to Dhanush’s popularity in the South.

He further stressed that this short-term business strategy could have long-term consequences for the studio, particularly with actors and audiences. “They’ll realise it soon, when the actors and the audience will get back to them. No actors would want to work with them now. Maybe they don’t want to work with actors anymore. They plan to make films with AI only,” he remarked.

Rai clarified he isn’t against AI as a tool, but against its misuse. He himself is using AI-based tools for improving VFX in his upcoming film ‘Tere Ishq Mein’, starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon. However, he believes using AI to alter completed artistic works is ethically wrong.

“They say, AI is the future. Everybody knows that. But then use it for the future or for the present. Don’t use it to distort the past! If you buy a portrait by an artist, you can add moustache to it, if you like. But you definitely can’t resell that for commercial gain. Next thing we know, they may change the climax of Sholay (1975) by keeping both Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra) alive,” he warned.

Originally released in 2013, ‘Raanjhanaa’ starred Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor and became known for its intense storytelling and emotional climax. In the original ending, Kundan (played by Dhanush) dies in a tragic turn of events, sacrificing himself for love.