Eros Hits Back At Aanand L Rai, Calls Raanjhanaa's Altered Ending ‘Creative Reimagining'
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has openly expressed his disappointment over the news of Eros International planning to alter the ending of his 2013 classic romantic drama Raanjhanaa by using AI. Now, after the director expressed his sadness, the studio has explicitly rejected Aanand's allegations, calling the altered ending just a creative re-imagination and not a replacement.
In a statement to PTI, the company's Group CEO, Pradeep Dwivedi, said, 'This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters. We categorically reject Mr Rai's allegations, which are not only factually incorrect but also legally unfounded. The re-release is a respectful reinterpretation and not a 'tampering' of the original. It is clearly positioned as an alternate, AI-enhanced version—akin to classic cuts or re-edits seen globally."
Further, when questioned if the team of Raanjhanaa was informed about the studio's decision, the company stated that it holds the sole and exclusive copyright of the film. It added that the 'reinterpretation has been developed with sensitivity and respect for the original creative team's contribution."
While sharing that they tried to acknowledge Aanand's 'concerns and responded to him respectfully," they added that he 'has chosen to publicly distance himself from the project, despite the film being a product of collaborative effort where rights are lawfully vested with the producer. Our re-release is an homage to the film's legacy, not a deviation from it."
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 for the film's release in the Tamil language. 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.
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.
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