Eros Media Group is rereleasing the 2013 film Raanjhanaa with an AI-generated happy ending—without its director’s OK. The original tragic finale is being swapped for an alternate version called Ambikapathy set to hit cinemas August 1.
The film’s director, Aanand L Rai, found out about the change from news reports. He slammed the move as “reckless” and said he’s cutting ties with the altered version.
“I’m heartbroken that this is the future we’re heading toward, where intent and authorship are disposable,” Rai told the Press Trust of India.
“All I can do is dissociate myself from such a reckless and dystopian experiment.”
Eros’ chief Pradeep Dwivedi defended the AI edit as an “exploratory baby step” in tech-driven filmmaking. Eros is eyeing similar AI tweaks for other films in its 3,000+ title library. They say Ambikapathy is an optional watch, not a replacement.
Dwivedi also dismissed director criticism as “emotional” and cited a legal dispute with Rai’s studio, Colour Yellow Productions.
Colour Yellow’s COO Harini Lakshminarayan called the rerelease “deeply contradictory” and stressed the need for clear AI use rules.
“If a finished film can be altered and rereleased without the director’s knowledge, it sends out a clear and very troubling message – that the film-maker’s voice is dispensable.”
The rerelease revives hot debate over AI use and ownership in film. Critics fear changing Raanjhanaa’s ending, especially around its sensitive interfaith story, risks erasing original meanings.
Ambikapathy will open before Rai’s new film Tere Ishk Mein premieres in November. Eros denies any link between the two.
Eros’ streaming service Eros Now hosts over 11,000 titles. The company claims this AI edit was produced in-house with human oversight, marking what may be the first AI-altered movie rerelease in global cinema history.
