Dhanush expresses disapproval of AI-generated 'Raanjhanaa' climax: 'Stripped the film of its very soul'

Recently, Eros Media World released Aanand L Rai's Raanjhanaa, starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, with an "altered" climax with the aid of AI, a decision that provoked the ire of not only Rai but many film buffs who were against the idea of butchering an original creation with a different ending, which goes against the filmmaker's original vision. Rai has earlier told The Indian Express about his disapproval of this development, and that it was done without his consent, despite him writing to Eros Media Group about it.

Now, Dhanush has come forward with a statement critical of the choice, echoing Rai's sentiments. In a note on X, the actor and filmmaker wrote, “The re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me. The 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.”

Calling the use of AI as one that disrupts the "integrity" of storytelling and cinema, Dhanush further added, “The use of AI to alter films or content is a deeply concerning precedent for both art and artists. I sincerely hope that stricter regulations are put in place to prevent such practices in the future.”

What Aanand L Rai said

For those who have (and haven't) seen the 2013 film starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, the new AI-generated tweak will give Raanjhanaa a "positive" ending, unlike the tragic original. Rai said this unpleasant experience should be a lesson for other filmmakers, who should think twice about associating with a production company that indulges in such practices. “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.”

'Our re-release is a respectful creative reinterpretation': Eros World Media

Responding to Rai's statements, Eros has now come out with an official statement in which they argued that the right to tweak the material belongs to the production house, claiming the film is their intellectual property, with which they can do anything they please. The company's CEO, Pradeep Dwivedi, told The Indian Express, “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.”