Use of AI to change Bollywood hit's tragic ending sparks debate

It raises questions about use of new technologies, creative ownership of films

- Debarshi Dasgupta India Correspondent

NEW DELHI — An obsessive lover dies mourning his unrequited love — this has been the cornerstone of Raanjhanaa, a 2013 Bollywood hit that remains popular for its tragic rendition of an all-consuming love, shaping on-screen memories for an entire generation of Indian filmgoers.

The Hindi film was also released in Tamil as Ambikapathy that year. But in a new Tamil version of the film, the hero lives on, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) that was used to change the movie's ending.

In the 2025 version re-released on Aug 1, Eros International Media — which owns the rights to the film — tweaked the last few scenes with AI to revive the lead character, Kundan, who otherwise dies on an operating table in a hospital.

The move has been criticised by loyal fans and members of the original film crew, raising questions about the use of new technologies and the creative ownership of films.

Aanand L. Rai, the director of Raanjhanaa, said he was shocked the new version had gone ahead without his knowledge or consent.

"To watch Raanjhanaa, a film born out of care, conflict, collaboration and creative risk, be altered, repackaged and re-released without my knowledge or consent has been nothing short of devastating," Rai said on Instagram on July 31.

"What is now being circulated is not a tribute. It is a reckless takeover that strips the work of its intent, its context and its soul. The idea that our work can be taken and modified by a machine, then dressed up as innovation, is deeply disrespectful," he added.

Actor Dhanush, who plays Kundan, said the AI-generated alternate ending had "stripped the film of its very soul", something that went ahead despite his "clear objection".

"This is not the film I committed to 12 years ago," he said in a post on X on Aug 3.

The film's screenwriter Himanshu Sharma told The Sunday Times that Eros did not ask or discuss anything with him before changing the climax.