Karan Johar has voiced his support for filmmaker Aanand L Rai following the re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered ending, emphasising that the director’s consent should have been obtained beforehand. In August, the film was re-released in theatres—not as a standard re-release, but with the ending modified using artificial intelligence. This decision sparked controversy within the industry, with Rai expressing his disappointment over the change to a “happy ending” without his approval. The film’s lead actor, Dhanush, also criticised the move.
Karan Johar Backs Aanand L Rai After Raanjhanaa Producers Alter Ending With AI
Karan Johar spoke out in support of Anand L Rai during an appearance on Komal Nahta’s YouTube show Game Changers. When asked about who should have the authority to re-release a film with modifications, he said, “This should now be contractual. If the producer owns 100% of the film, then he/she has the right to do whatever they want. But he/she has to have the moral dilemma about it. Today, also I own every IP, but if I have to do anything to the film, I call the director of the film. So when it’s not contractual, it has to be moral. Agar aapki morality nahi hai, agar aap ek director ke vision ko badal rahe ho, release kar rahe without his/her consent, then that is not right.”
(If you don’t have morality, if you’re changing a director’s vision and releasing the film without his/her consent, then that is not right).
He further added, “His job is to call Aanand L. Rai jiski vision thi voh, jiski wajah se aap yeh kar rahe ho aaj, it’s your moral responsibility. You should call everybody who made that film special. It’s the right thing to do. Aur kya hi ukhaad liya aapne change karke. Aisa nahi hai ki uss film ka bahut bada business hua. Because it’s inauthentic. AI has to be used for its absolute worth. Jo natural hai voh zyada chalega (You should call Aanand L. Rai — it was his vision, and he’s the reason you’re able to do this today. What did you even achieve by changing it? It’s not as if the film made huge business. Because it’s inauthentic. AI should only be used where it truly adds value. What’s natural will always work better).”
About the AI-Altered Ending
Raanjhanaa centres on Kundan (Dhanush), who falls in love with Zoya (Sonam Kapoor), a Muslim girl. In the original climax, Kundan is shot at a rally and later dies in the hospital. However, in the AI version re-released in Tamil, Kundan survives.
Aanand L Rai On Raanjhanaa’s AI-Altered Ending
Rai expressed his deep disappointment in a statement, saying, “People connected with Raanjhanaa because of its flaws and imperfections. To see its ending changed without any discussion is a gross violation—not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who have carried it in their hearts for 12 years.”
Eros On Raanjhanaa’s AI-Altered Ending
The studio responded, claiming they are the “sole and exclusive copyright holders” of the film and that the re-release was “offered as an addition, not a replacement, of the original.” Rai responded to the controversy in an interview. He said, “Machines can’t create films. The tragedy was part of Raanjhanaa’s DNA. You can’t just rewrite its soul.”
Raanjhanaa was released in 2012.
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