Eros hits back at Aanand L Rai after the director expresses displeasure over the studio altering the film's ending with AI without consent

Time of India

2 days ago

Filmmaker
Aanand L Rai
has voiced strong disapproval over Eros International's move to alter the ending of his 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa using artificial intelligence. The acclaimed director, who crafted the film's tragic yet emotionally resonant finale, expressed sadness at what he views as an interference with his original vision.
However, the studio has since issued a pointed rebuttal, firmly denying any allegations of tampering. Rai had said, "Eros's actions open a dangerous door. They raise urgent legal and ethical questions, of the impact of decisions like this on the moral rights of creators. Even worse is their apparent decision to alter the actors' contributions without their consent! How can they digitally manipulate an actor's input almost a decade after a film's release? This strips away their agency, and raise serious concerns under personality and image rights. If this goes unquestioned, what stops anyone from 'updating" any film, performance, or legacy to suit short-term profiteering?"
Now the company has hit back at the film-maker.
In an official statement to PTI, Eros Group CEO Pradeep Dwivedi clarified their stance, stating, 'This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters. We categorically reject Mr Rai's allegations, which are not only factually incorrect but also legally unfounded.
The re-release is a respectful reinterpretation and not a 'tampering' of the original.
It is clearly positioned as an alternate, AI-enhanced version—akin to classic cuts or re-edits seen globally."
When questioned about whether the Raanjhanaa team had been consulted prior to the revision, the studio asserted its legal authority. It emphasized that it owns the 'sole and exclusive copyright of the film,' and that the new version was developed 'with sensitivity and respect for the original creative team's contribution.'
Eros also noted that they 'tried to acknowledge Aanand's concerns and responded to him respectfully,' but added that he 'has chosen to publicly distance himself from the project, despite the film being a product of collaborative effort where rights are lawfully vested with the producer. Our re-release is an homage to the film's legacy, not a deviation from it."
The controversy deepened as reports surfaced about the updated AI-driven version of Raanjhanaa being sold to Tamil Nadu-based distributor Upswing Entertainment for a regional re-release in Tamil. Rai reportedly believes this decision was strategic—aiming to test the altered version in a region where his influence is limited, but where lead actor
Dhanush
continues to enjoy massive popularity.
In stark contrast to the original, where Dhanush's character Kundan meets a tragic end, the AI-revised cut flips the narrative with a feel-good twist—Kundan survives, and the film closes on a hopeful note.
While the creative clash continues to stir debate, one thing is clear: Raanjhanaa's legacy now finds itself at the center of a broader conversation around AI, artistic ownership, and the future of storytelling. Meanwhile, Rai and Dhanush have moved forward, currently working on their next project, Tere Ishk Mein, alongside actress Kriti Sanon.