It seemed to be a random day when news of the 2013 film Raanjhanaa getting a re-release in Tamil Nadu came out. This wasn’t anything new; in the past few years, there have been several old films that have been re-released in the theatres.
However, the thing that caught the attention of many was that, as per PTI, this re-release would have an altered AI-generated “happy” ending. Directed by Aanand L Rai and released as Ambikapathy in the Tamil dubbed version, the movie, over the years, has had a very polarising reaction on its own.
Many don’t like that it glorifies stalking, harassment, and even violence by the main lead, but the ending was felt deserved for the main character of Kundan (Dhanush), considering his actions over the course of the movie.
Upswing Entertainment, in collaboration with Eros Media for regional market outreach and promotion of this Tamil re-release, announced, “The timeless love story returns to the big screen! #Ambikapathy re-releasing in theatres from August 1st… A new ending powered by AI.”
The director, however, has expressed very vehement condemnation of this, especially in regards to AI being used to give the film a new ending.
What Did The Director Say?
Aanand L Rai directed the movie Raanjhanaa almost 12 years ago. In a statement to PTI, said, “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 added, “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.”
Rai also said that this raises “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 raises serious concerns under personality and image rights.”
He questioned what precedent this would set if this move is allowed “unquestioned” and “What stops anyone from ‘updating’ any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?”
Speaking with The Indian Express, Rai expanded on why he was against this re-release, saying, “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 also spoke about how he “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,” and that he’d even reached out to Eros International to express his objection.
When the production house didn’t agree with him, it led to the director asking to be disassociated from this re-release.
Rai also added that “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!”
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Mostly, people online have shown extreme condemnation against taking the movie and giving it an AI-generated happy ending. Several felt that it went against the core of the movie, and all the impact it had was essentially due to the original ending itself.
Giving Kundan a happy ending would be a disservice to everyone, because the most important thing that many came out learning from the movie was that Kundan was not actually the good guy he felt he was, and did a lot of wrong things that ended up ruining the lives of many people.
Many netizens also raised concerns about the use of AI being problematic, as well as the fact that all this was being done against the director’s express wishes, who had actually made the film.
User @divyners wrote “using ai at this scale sets a dangerous precedent but in what world is raanjhanaa a movie that deserves a happy ending? the way people have been romanticizing it over the years is terrible enough” while user @memadhumita commented “Experimenting with technology is one thing, but doing it without the consent of the creator is just WRONG!”
Other users wrote how this was a “Huge mistake. Literally no one wants this. Adding @Erosmedia to my Boycott list” and that “A happy ending will take away the charm of this film, this film is known for its ending.”
User @samosasaurus replied, “There’s no AI regulations in India, it’s gone wild everywhere and it all looks like crap. And considering the environmental damage, pollution & water consumption AI causes, India is the last place that should be using it.”
Another user, @Rotten_shire99, wrote, “I don’t even particularly like this film, but adding an AI ending against the director’s wishes is a crime against anyone and everyone associated with the arts.”
What Do The Producers Say?
Eros Media World, it seems though, is firm on their decision, claiming that since they have the sole legal rights over the film, they can do whatever they want with it.
In a statement, the group CEO, Pradeep Dwivedi, said, “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.”
In another statement to PTI, Dwivedi further explained that “This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters.”
The production house also said that it “categorically rejects 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.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: raanjhanaa, raanjhanaa ai, raanjhanaa re release, raanjhanaa ending, raanjhanaa ai ending, raanjhanaa director, anand l rai, anand l rai raanjhanaa, eros media world, eros media world raanjhanaa, raanjhanaa movie director, raanjhanaa 2, raanjhanaa re release date, raanjhanaa movie
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