The makers of Aanand L. Rai’s ‘Raanjhanaa’ altered the climax of the film with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and re-released it in theaters in Tamil Nadu. A huge controversy erupted over this, with the filmmaker speaking against the AI version of the film. Several actors and filmmakers also raised their voices against such practices. And now, joining the bandwagon, actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, who is also a part of the film, has reacted to the altered version.
Zeeshan talks about AI version of ‘Raanjhanaa’
The actor played the role of Dhanush’s character Kundan’s friend Murari in the movie. In conversation with Digital Commentary, Zeeshan said that the makers made a wrong decision, and he totally disagrees with their perspective. He added that a storyteller weaves a world of his own for the movie. Ayyub further added that there was pain and satisfaction, both in the movie.He said, “Woh pyaar main jo aakhri mukaam ki baat hoti hai, apni maut main pahunch jaana aur itna pyaara tha ki usse jaane diya. Woh khoobsurti nahi cheenani chaahiye. Aapne film ka saar badal diyaa, cheen liyaa.”(He said, “That ultimate stage in love is reaching your own death, and it was so beautiful that I let it go. That beauty shouldn’t be taken away. You changed the essence of the film; you took it away.”)
Zeeshan Ayyub reacts to his AI-altered scene in the climax
According to the AI-altered climax, Kundan comes back to life, and with that, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker, and Zeeshan Ayyub’s characters rejoice. Addressing the same, the actor said he was angry after watching that part, as he would never act like the way it has been shown. He said, “Le deke humaari itni to izzat hoti hai ki acting achhi hoti hai; usmein jo mera shot inhone AI se karaya hai, itna zaleela hone waala shot hai voh, mera dil beth gaya. Main kabhi aise aansun puchte hue nahi rounga.”(He said, “At least we had the respect that our acting was good, but the shot they made using AI is so humiliating, it broke my heart. I will never cry asking for such tears.”)
‘Raanjhanaa’
The film was released in theaters in June 2013. The film went on to become a hit at the box office.
