AI Alters Climax in Raanjhanaa Re-release, Fans Shocked

AI in movies is catching on, but not everyone is happy about it. Fans were caught off guard when Raanjhanaa, the 2013 hit starring Dhanush, was re-released with a big change. In the original film, Dhanush’s character dies. But in the updated version, he suddenly wakes up, thanks to AI. This surprise twist, made without any new filming, left people in theatres stunned. Some clapped, others were just confused.

This isn’t the first time Indian cinema has used AI. Vijaykanth appeared via AI in Vijay: The Greatest of All Time, and Venkatesh was digitally recreated in Kalisundaam Raa. But changing the ending of a film like Raanjhanaa has touched a nerve. Many feel that altering emotional stories, especially those known for their tragic endings, takes away what made them special. Classics like Devadasu and Premaabhishekam are remembered because of the pain they left behind.

Director Aanand L. Rai, who made Raanjhanaa, was not informed about the edit. In a strong statement, he called it a betrayal of the film and everyone who worked on it. He said the movie was shaped by real emotion, effort, and teamwork, not by code or algorithms. Seeing it changed without the team's involvement was heartbreaking.

Rai made it clear that he does not support the AI version. None of the original cast or crew were part of the decision. While AI can help in some areas, many believe it has no place in rewriting stories that were meant to hit deep. The Raanjhanaa incident has now opened a real debate about how far this technology should be allowed to go in cinema.