Superstar Dhanush has come down heavily against the unauthorised re-release of his 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa, with an altered AI-reimagined ending. The re-edited so-called “happy ending” version, has altered using artificial intelligence, was reportedly released without the creators’ knowledge or consent and sparked an industry-wide backlash.Following in director Anand L Rai’s lead, lead actor Dhanush took to his social media handles to express his disapproval about the use of AI. In a strongly worded note, he wrote, “The re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me. 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.“
Dhanush’s Statement
Expressing his concerns for the future of cinema, he urged for stricter regulations on the use of AI in movies. He wrote, “The use of AI to alter films or content is a deeply concerning precedent for both art and artists. It threatens the integrity of storytelling and the legacy of cinema. I sincerely hope that stricter regulations are put in place to prevent such practices in the future.”
Anand L Rai’s Statement
Director Rai also issued a strongly worded statement, describing the past few weeks as “surreal and deeply upsetting.” He said that the film was “altered, repackaged, and re-released without my knowledge or consent” and admitted that it has been “nothing short of devastating.”Rai also stated that the new releases, strips the work of its “intent, context, and soul,” and warned of the larger implications of tampering with artistic integrity through artificial means. “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.”
Bollywood Raises Objection To The Use Of AI
The backlash has drawn significant support from filmmakers and writers such as Neeraj Pandey, Kabir Khan, Kanika Dhillon, Varun Grover, Renuka Shahane, and Tanuj Garg condemning the move and calling it “unethical.”
