Aanand L Rai Slams AI‑Altered Ending of Raanjhanaa: “An Abject Betrayal of Everything We Built”

Renowned filmmaker Aanand L Rai has publicly denounced the AI-generated “happy ending” added to the Tamil re-release of his 2013 cult film Raanjhanaa, released under the title Ambikapathy on August 1, 2025. He called it “an abject betrayal” and deeply upsetting, affirming he was not consulted or involved in the alteration process.

What Happened

• Eros International, the rights holder, added an AI-generated happy ending where protagonist Kundan (played by Dhanush) lives—contrasting the original tragic climax where he dies.
• The AI version reportedly also alters visuals and voices of the lead actors without consent.

A Director’s Outrage

• Rai described the decision as a “reckless takeover” and a gross violation of the creative trust placed in collaborators by fans and industry.
• Emotional trust, he emphasized, was compromised: “Intent and authorship are disposable.” He has formally distanced himself from the AI-altered version.
• Rai has asked for his name to be removed from the version and is exploring legal action via the Indian Film & TV Directors’ Association.

Industry Support & Ethical Debate

• Fellow directors Neeraj Pandey, Kabir Khan, Renuka Shahane, and writer Kanika Dhillon slammed the move as “utterly disrespectful” and “preposterous”. They argued legal rights do not equate to moral license over creative legacy.

Creative Consent & AI Governance: Rai’s Call for Reform

• While Rai is open to using AI in his own work—such as colour grading and testing alternate narrative experiments—he asserts that altering a completed film post‑release crosses an ethical line.
• He is advocating for contract reforms and industry guidelines to ensure mandatory creator consent for any future AI modifications.

Legacy vs. Innovation: Why Rai Believes Raanjhanaa Didn’t Need a Rewrite

• The film’s cult status stems from its imperfections, emotional honesty, and the tragic ending that resonated deeply with audiences.
• According to Rai, the emotional core and thematic depth of Raanjhanaa cannot be preserved by repackaging it with algorithmic optimism.

Key Quotes It is a reckless takeover that strips the work of its intent, its context, and its soul.”
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.

What Happens Next

• Raanjhanaa was originally released in 2013 and dubbed in Tamil as Ambikapathy. The AI-altered version is positioned as an optional alternative, not a replacement—though Rai rejects this framing.
• The controversy is amplifying urgent industry-wide debates on AI ethics, creative rights, and the need for transparent governance mechanisms when it comes to modifying archival content.