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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Raanjhanaa' re-release: Director Anand L Rai and producer at loggerheads over AI-tweaked climax
The 2013 film Raanjhanaa is being re-released in Tamil Nadu with an altered AI-generated "happy" ending, a possible first for the industry that a heartbroken director Aanand L Rai terms "dystopian experiment" and producer Eros Media World describes as a "creative reimagining". The unrequited romance drama, starring Tamil superstar Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, ended with the lead actor's death. Not anymore -- at least in the Tamil version. "The timeless love story returns to the big screen! #Ambikapathy re-releasing in theatres from August 1st... A new ending powered by AI," Upswing Entertainment said while making the announcement earlier this month. The Hindi film was released as Ambikapathy in the Tamil dubbed version in 2013. Eros has collaborated with Upswing Entertainment on regional market outreach and promotions for the Tamil language re-release. Rai was dismayed. "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 said in a statement to PTI. '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,' the filmmaker said. Eros, in its response shared over mail with PTI, said the film's re-release is part of the company's broader strategy to refresh and reintroduce classic cinematic works to newer audiences in regional markets. "This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters," the company's group CEO Pradeep Dwivedi said. "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." The producer of a cinematographic work, under Indian law, is its legal author and moral rights vest with the producer—not the director, the company added. Raanjhanaa was directed by Rai from a script penned by Himanshu Sharma. Set in Varanasi and Delhi, the story follows Kundan (Dhanush), a Hindu boy who falls in love with Zoya (Kapoor), a Muslim girl, from childhood. Towards the end of the film, Kundan is shot at a rally and dies later at a hospital. In Rai's view, Eros' actions in changing the end opens a "dangerous door". ALSO READ:Kriti Sanon starts shooting for 'Tere Ishk Mein' co-starring Dhanush '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 such a move goes "unquestioned", he warned, it could set a precedent for similar actions in the future. "What stops anyone from 'updating' any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?" he asked. Eros said they have always been at the forefront of leveraging emerging technologies. The objective of the alternative ending is to enhance viewer engagement and present a fresh perspective—one that complements the original storyline and is clearly labelled as an alternate version. Asked if the film's team was kept in the loop, the company said Eros holds the sole and exclusive copyright and producer rights of Raanjhanaa, including the legal and moral rights under Indian law. "The reinterpretation has been developed with sensitivity and respect for the original creative team's contribution," Dwivedi said in the statement. The company said it has acknowledged "Mr Rai's concerns and responded to him respectfully, reiterating our legal position and creative intent". "We regret 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. All rights, decisions, and creative control related to Raanjhanaa remain solely with Eros International Media Limited as the exclusive copyright holder," the company said. Rai is currently working on a follow-up to Raanjhanaa with Dhanush. Titled Tere Ishq Mein, the movie also stars Kriti Sanon and is set to be released in theatres worldwide on November 28.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Aanand L Rai BLASTS Eros For Using AI To Alter Raanjhanaa Ending Without Consent: 'I'm Heartbroken'
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai slammed Eros International for changing the ending of Raanjhanaa using AI. A 'heartbroken' Rai has requested his name to be removed. 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 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
