Varun Grover Reacts To AI-Edited Raanjhanaa Ending: 'Namaste To Whoever's Uncle Did This'
Twelve years after its original release, Aanand L Rai's Raanjhanaa is set to return to theatres in Tamil Nadu as Ambikapathy on August 1, 2025. But instead of celebration, the re-release has ignited a heated controversy—one that involves Artificial Intelligence, a reimagined climax, and what writer-lyricist Varun Grover has called a 'dystopian experiment wrapped in comedy."
Promotional posters for Ambikapathy suggest that the film now features an 'AI-powered" alternate ending in which Dhanush's character does not die, deviating dramatically from the tragic conclusion that originally defined the film's emotional gravitas. While fans are left stunned by the twist, director Aanand L Rai is deeply disappointed. In a conversation with NDTV, Rai shared, 'Raanjhanaa didn't need a new climax. It had heart and honesty… 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." He also raised serious concerns about the legal, ethical, and creative consequences of using AI to tamper with films and performances without consulting their original creators or actors.
Amid the uproar, Varun Grover weighed in with biting satire in a reel that's now gaining momentum online. Recounting a conversation with his uncle after the release of Masaan, Grover said, 'The film is good," his uncle told him, 'but just change the ending and it'll be a hit." Grover then explained, tongue firmly in cheek, how he avoided making the change by citing budget and logistical constraints. 'But apparently," he added with a smirk, 'someone else's uncle has enough to AI-edit Raanjhanaa, make it a happy ending, and re-release it. So, whoever's uncle it is, namaste to them."
Despite the humor, Grover's message underlines a growing unease within the creative community about the use of AI to revise narratives without the consent of their originators. The idea that a beloved story could be altered—its heartbreak replaced with convenience, its soul diluted by software—has struck a nerve. For Rai, it's not just about artistic intent, but about integrity. 'Raanjhanaa had heart," he said, 'and the ending was integral to that."
As audiences await Ambikapathy's re-release, it may well become a flashpoint in a larger conversation about authorship, autonomy, and the future of cinema in the AI era. Whether the re-edit wins over viewers or not, one thing is certain—this isn't just about how a story ends, but who gets to write that ending in the first place.
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