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Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has expressed strong objection to the AI-generated alternate ending of his 2013 romantic drama 'Raanjhanaa', which is now set to re-release in cinemas on August 1 with a “happy” twist. The film’s original ending features Dhanush’s character, Kundan, dying at a political rally, fully aware of the betrayal by the woman he loved, played by Sonam Kapoor.

The surprise, however, is that the film's revamped version, with an artificially generated new climax where Kundan survives, was done without Rai’s knowledge or consent.

Aanand L Rai says he wasn’t informed about the AI ‘Happy Ending’

In a conversation with Screen, Rai said, “I got to know through 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."

Rai revealed that after discovering the update online, he reached out to the producers at Eros International, who still hold the rights to the film, but his objections were reportedly dismissed. He now plans to formally request that his name be disassociated from the re-edited version. “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 said.

Rai slams tampering with original climax of Raanjhanaa

The director was especially disturbed by the way the studio is using artificial intelligence not to enhance the story, but to rewrite its emotional core. “What is a happy ending? It’s a tragedy, that’s an emotion. How can you meddle with emotions? The voice of the film lies in that ending,” he argued.

According to Rai, the new version has been sold to Upswing Entertainment, a distributor in Tamil Nadu, possibly to “test waters” in that market. “Maybe they’re trying to test waters in Tamil Nadu first. They’ve sold it to a distributor there and must’ve earned a few crores out of that already. But if you commit a crime in Rome, it’s still a crime! Even if you’re releasing it in Tamil Nadu, where we don’t have that much of a presence, but my actor does. And I’m responsible for what happens to his image there with my film,” he said.

Rai on using AI responsibily

While Rai acknowledges the power and potential of AI, he said that there is need for responsible use of the technology. “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!” he stated, adding, “If you buy a portrait by an artist, you can add moustache to it, if you like. But you definitely can’t resell that for commercial gain.”

Rai warned that such a move could alienate actors and creators from working with studios that prioritise short-term profits over creative integrity. “They’ll realise 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,” he said.