Aanand L Rai BLASTS Eros For Using AI To Alter Raanjhanaa Ending Without Consent: 'I'm Heartbroken'
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai's 2013 romantic drama, Raanjhanaa, is set for a special screening on August 1, celebrating its 12th anniversary. Starring Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush in key roles, the film ends on a heart-wrenching note. Surprisingly, the film's studio, Eros International, decided to alter the film's ending to a 'happier note' using AI. This didn't sit well with director Aanand, who has slammed Eros, requesting to remove his name from the film's credits.
Aanand L Rai issued an official statement, revealing how 'heartbroken" he is with the altered ending. He wrote, 'Raanjhanaa didn't need a new climax. It had heart, and honesty. It became a cult film because people connected to it with its flaws, and imperfections. To see its ending altered without a word of discussion is a gross violation not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who've carried the film in their hearts for 12 years."
He continued, 'Eros's actions open a dangerous door. They raise urgent legal and ethical questions, of the impact of decisions like this on the moral rights of creators. Even worse is their apparent decision to alter the actors' contributions without their consent! How can they digitally manipulate an actor's input almost a decade after a film's release? This strips away their agency, and raise serious concerns under personality and image rights. If this goes unquestioned, what stops anyone from 'updating" any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?"
'I'm heartbroken that this is the future we're heading toward, where intent and authorship are disposable. All I can do is dissociate myself from such a reckless and dystopian experiment," he concluded.
Why did Eros alter the ending of Raanjhanaa?
Eros International has reportedly sold an updated version of Raanjhanaa to Tamil Nadu-based distributor Upswing Entertainment. Director Aanand L Rai believes the studio deliberately chose to test the AI-generated version in a region where his influence is limited, but where lead actor Dhanush remains popular.
The filmmaker is upset, accusing Eros of altering the film purely for profit, without considering the potential backlash. He feels the studio will realise its mistake when fans and actors speak out, adding that no actor would want to collaborate with a company that changes films without the creators' consent.
Rai has already raised his objections with Eros over the AI-created alternate ending in the re-release, making it clear he did not approve of the change. However, since the studio has neither agreed nor acted on his concerns, he now plans to send a formal letter demanding his name be removed from the AI-altered version.
In the original ending of Raanjhanaa, Dhanush's character, Kundan, dies. But in the AI-modified version, the story takes a different path, with Kundan surviving and the film concluding on a happier note.
For the unversed, Aanand L Rai has previously collaborated with Dhanush in Atrangi Re. They are working on their third film together, Tere Ishk Mein, with Kriti Sanon.
First Published:
July 18, 2025, 19:15 IST
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