Thoughts on Raanjhanaa’s AI-Altered Ending

Original Vision: A Poignant Farewell

Raanjhanaa (2013) is remembered for its emotionally raw and tragic climax Kundan dying in the hospital, sacrificing everything for unrequited love. The ending leaves viewers reflecting on obsession, caste, and the cost of broken dreams. Its heartbreak remains central to the film’s power and legacy. 

Creator Backlash: A Deeper Betrayal

Director Aanand L. Rai denounced the AI-edited version as a “reckless takeover” and an “abject betrayal” a violation of a film shaped by emotion and human effort. He emphasized that neither he nor his cast and crew were consulted. Dhanush echoed the sentiment, noting he had emphatically opposed the change.

Leading figures like Neeraj Pandey, Kanika Dhillon, Kabir Khan, and Renuka Shahane called the decision “utterly disrespectful” and “preposterous,” warning of the creative and legal slippery slope AI intervention can introduce.

 Studio’s Defense: Innovation or Overreach?

Eros International, the studio behind the re-release, defended their legal right to modify the film. They described the alternate ending as a “respectful creative reinterpretation” an exploratory step toward modernizing their catalogue and engaging new audiences. Eros plans similar AI experiments across its library.

 Divided Audience: Emotion vs Closure

Social media reactions were sharply divided. Dhanush fans applauded the emotional satisfaction of Kundan’s survival “My Kundan is alive,” they cheered. Yet many argued the AI ending stripped the film of its emotional punch. Comments like “they ripped the soul out of the movie” echoed across forums. Others felt certain stories simply “don’t need happy endings.”

On Reddit, users reflected on how the original’s tragedy underscored the story’s complexity sacrifice, obsession, and flawed characters who don’t get redemption.   

 Broader Implications: Rights, Ethics, AI

This controversy illuminates key questions: Who owns a film’s narrative? Can technology overwrite artistic intent? Should creators have moral rights over alterations even if they don’t hold legal control? Many in the industry now call for robust regulations to ensure consent and preserve the integrity of original works.      

Final Reflection

A loss of emotional integrity cannot be compensated by technical novelty. While AI offers new storytelling possibilities, using it to rewrite a revered film without creators’ approval undermines the art form’s authenticity. Raanjhanaa remains beloved because it refuses easy closure it lives in its heartbreak, not in synthetic reconciliation.