Eros International’s plan to re-release Raanjhanaa in Tamil as Ambikapathy with an AI-altered ending, where Kundan survives. This move has sparked controversy with director Aanand L Rai expressing disappointment and calling it a violation of the film’s soul. Filmmakers like Kabir Khan and Renuka Shahane slammed the move calling it unethical
Aanand L Rai on Raanjhanaa
Aanand L Rai-directed Raanjhanaa is under hot water after Eros International announced the re-release of film in Tamil Nadu as Ambikapathy on August 1, 2025. This one will be AI-modified version of film where the ending is altered using generative AI tools. This move has sparked a huge debate about creative liberty, ideations and use of AI in filmmaking.
About AI-altered ending
When Raanjhanaa released in 2012, the film revolved around Kundan (Dhanush) who falls in love with Zoya (Sonam Kapoor) a muslim girl. As the film leads to climax, Kundan is shot at a rally and dies later at a hospital. In the AI version of the film in Tamil, Kundan survives.
In a quote shared with the media, Rai expressed deep disappointment over not being consulted before the re-edit. “People connected with Raanjhanaa because of its flaws and imperfections,” he said. “To see its ending altered without a word of discussion is a gross violation not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who’ve carried the film in their hearts for 12 years.”
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Replying to this, the studio claimed that they are the ‘sole and exclusive copyright holders of the film’ and the re-release is ‘offered as an addition to, not a replacement of, the original’.
Reacting to the fiasco, Rai said in an interview, “Machines can’t create films. The tragedy was part of Raanjhanaa’s DNA. You can’t just rewrite its soul.”
As per reports in Variety, he is now working with lawyers and fellow filmmakers to develop contract templates that include explicit consent clauses for AI-based changes. These would protect directors and writers from having their work altered posthumously, or commercially without their approval.
Filmmakers’ reaction to the matter
Amid this feud, filmmakers have commented on the matter calling it unethical. In a conversation with NDTV, Kabir Khan and Renuka Shahane backed Rai and called this move preposterous. Director Kabir Khan said, “Having the legal rights to a film does not give a studio the moral right to distort its core. It's criminal to even entertain such a thought.” The director insisted that he would have taken the matter to court if such a thing happened with him.
Reanuka Shahane called the move unethical and remarked, “The person who has birthed the project, the person whose baby the project is, suddenly the baby is snatched from their hands. I don't think that's right. It's morally and ethically completely wrong.”
For those unversed, the Raanjhanaa universe is now expanding with another intense love story from Rai’s banner- Tere Ishq Mein. The film stars Kriti Sanon and Dhanush in lead roles.
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