The 2013 film Raanjhanaa is being re-released in Tamil Nadu with an altered AI-generated “happy” ending, a possible first for the industry that a heartbroken director Aanand L Rai terms “dystopian experiment” and producer Eros Media World describes as a “creative reimagining”.
“The timeless love story returns to the big screen! #Ambikapathy re-releasing in theatres from August 1st… A new ending powered by AI,” Upswing Entertainment said while making the announcement earlier this month. The Hindi film was released as Ambikapathy in the Tamil dubbed version in 2013.
The unrequited romance drama, starring Tamil superstar Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, ended with the lead actor’s death. Not anymore — at least in the Tamil version.Eros has collaborated with Upswing Entertainment on regional market outreach and promotions for the Tamil language re-release. Rai was dismayed.
“I’m heartbroken that this is the future we’re heading toward, where intent and authorship are disposable. All I can do is dissociate myself from such a reckless and dystopian experiment,” he said in a statement to PTI. “Raanjhanaa didn’t need a new climax. It had heart, and honesty. It became a cult film because people connected to it with its flaws, and imperfections. 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,” the filmmaker said.