Aanand L Rai has finally spoken up about the AI-edited version of his 2013 cult classic ‘Raanjhanaa’, calling it both “devastating” and “deeply upsetting”. The film, which starred Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, holds a special place in many hearts, but the director was shocked to find it had been altered to re-release without his knowledge.Rai took to Instagram and shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Dhanush and Sonam from the original shoot. Alongside the photo, he poured his heart out in a long note, criticising the use of AI to change a film that was made with human passion and teamwork.
‘Reckless takeover’ without permission
He wrote, “The past three weeks have been surreal, and deeply upsetting. To watch Raanjhanaa, a film born out of care, conflict, collaboration, and creative risk, be altered, repackaged, and re-released without my knowledge or consent has been nothing short of devastating. What makes it worse is the complete ease and casualness with which it’s been done.”
Calls AI version a ‘reckless takeover’
Rai stated firmly, “I do not support or endorse the AI-altered version of Raanjhanaa. It is unauthorised. I had no role in it. Neither did the team that made the film. And whatever it claims to be, it is not the film we intended, or made.” He continued, “This was never just a film to us. It was shaped by human hands, human flaws, and human feeling. What’s now being circulated is not a tribute. It is a reckless takeover that strips the work of its intent, its context, and its soul.”
AI edit called ‘a betrayal’
The director didn’t just stop there. He expressed how hurtful it is that a machine could change a film’s meaning and present it as something new and creative. He wrote, “The idea that our work can be taken and modified by a machine, then dressed up as innovation, is deeply disrespectful. To cloak a film’s emotional legacy in a synthetic cape without consent is not a creative act. It’s an abject betrayal of everything we built.”
Fans and industry offer support
Even though the situation has been tough, Rai found some peace in the love and support from the audience and his fellow creators. He shared, “In the middle of all this, the support and solidarity from the industry, our audiences, and the larger creative community has reminded me of what Raanjhanaa stood for in the first place—connection, courage, and truth. I’m deeply grateful for that.”
No team members were told
Rai made it very clear that not one person from the original team had any idea this AI version was being made. He spoke on behalf of the whole cast and crew, including the writer, composer, lyricist and actors, asking fans to recognise the true heart of ‘Raanjhanaa’. He ended his statement with, “ I’m speaking for everyone who helped bring this film to life. The writer, actors, composer, lyricist, editor, technicians, and larger crew. None of us were consulted. None of us were heard. If Raanjhanaa meant something to you, as it did to us, please know that this AI-altered version does not reflect who we were. Nor does it carry the spirit of the film we made.”
