Aanand L Rai Unhappy With The “AI Driven Ending” in Raanjhanaa in Its Re-release
Aanand L Rai’s 2013 romantic film, Raanjhanaa, has garnered a dedicated following over the years, even though its ending had sparked different opinions. In the film’s final moments, Dhanush’s character, Kundan, loses his life after being shot at a public rally, which was orchestrated by those in power. Sonam Kapoor, portraying his love interest Zoya, was also involved in the plan. Kundan is also aware, yet he complies out of his affection for Zoya.
Twelve years later, Raanjhanaa is set to be re-released in cinemas on August 1, with certain elements reportedly changed by Artificial Intelligence. Though Aanand L Rai, the director and co-producer, states he was not consulted by Eros International regarding this decision, the studio maintains its position as the sole copyright holder, asserting that the re-release is intended as an addition to, rather than a replacement of, the original film.
He said, “I got to know about it through a 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.” He said he reached out to Eros International and expressed his objection, but when they didn’t agree with him, he now plans to write to them, asking them to disassociate his name from the re-release. “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.”
Eros Media World’s group CEO Pradeep Dwivedi said in a statement, “We are the sole and exclusive copyright holder and producer of Raanjhanaa, and are fully entitled, both legally and ethically, to adapt and re-release the film. This includes re-imagining certain elements using advanced tools such as generative AI to reach new audiences while preserving the original’s artistic soul. Contrary to the claims of ‘artistic vandalism’, our re-release is a respectful creative reinterpretation—clearly labelled and separate from the original version—offered as an addition to, not a replacement of, the original. Such practices are common in global cinema, and reflect our long-standing commitment to innovation, audience engagement, and cultural preservation.”
Aanand L Rai reacted by saying, “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. I’m dealing with this, but other filmmakers should learn from this. 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. They’ll realize 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. 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.”
Fans on the internet too had polarising opinions on the same with some finding the use of AI to alter endings interesting while some supported Aanand L Rai’s statements opining that there was no need to alter endings of iconic films.
Also Read: First Look: Raanjhana
