Filmmaker Aanand L Rai and actor Dhanush have voiced strong objections to the re-release of their 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa with an AI-generated “happy ending.” Calling the development “deeply upsetting,” Rai revealed that the film’s altered version was re-released without his knowledge or consent, while Dhanush also expressed his disapproval, stressing that the AI-generated version undermines the soul of the original film.
For The Love Of Cinema
Taking to social media on Sunday, Dhanush shared a post which read as, “The re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me.”
He continued, “This alternate ending has stripped the film of its very soul, and the concerned parties went ahead with it despite my clear objection. This is not the film I committed to 12 years ago.”
For the love of cinema 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VfwxMAdfoM
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) August 3, 2025
“Deeply Upsetting and Devastating”
In an emotional note shared on social media, Rai wrote: “The past three weeks have been surreal and deeply upsetting. To watch Raanjhanaa, a film born out of care, conflict, collaboration, and creative risk, be altered, repackaged, and re-released without my knowledge or consent has been nothing short of devastating. What makes it worse is the complete ease and casualness with which it’s been done.”
Eros’ AI “Happy Ending” Sparks Controversy
The controversy erupted after Eros International announced the re-release of Raanjhanaa with a new climax created using artificial intelligence to provide audiences with a “happy ending.”
Several filmmakers, including Neeraj Pandey, Kabir Khan, Kanika Dhillon, Varun Grover, Renuka Shahane, and Tanuj Garg, have come out in support of Rai, labeling the decision “unethical.”
“I Do Not Support or Endorse This Version”
Thanking the industry and fans for their solidarity, Rai said: “And yet, in the middle of all this, the support and solidarity from the industry, our audiences, and the larger creative community has reminded me of what Raanjhanaa stood for in the first place — connection, courage, and truth. I’m deeply grateful for that.”
Stressing his stance, he added: “Let me say this as clearly as I can: I do not support or endorse the AI-altered version of Raanjhanaa. It is unauthorised. I had no role in it. Neither did the team that made the film. And whatever it claims to be, it is not the film we intended, or made.”
“A Betrayal of Everything We Built”
Calling the AI version of Raanjhanaa a “reckless takeover,” Rai said it strips the work of its “intent, context, and soul.”
He further stated: “The idea that your work can be taken and modified by a machine, then dressed up as innovation, is deeply disrespectful. To cloak a film’s emotional legacy in a synthetic cape without consent, is not a creative act. It’s an abject betrayal of everything we built.”
