In a blistering takedown that has left the Indian film industry buzzing, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has launched a full-scale attack on producer Vijay Subramaniam for backing the upcoming AI-generated movie Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal. Taking to Instagram, Kashyap didn’t hold back—calling out Subramaniam’s alleged betrayal of artists and going so far as to say he "should be in the gutter."
Kashyap’s furious post slammed Subramaniam, who is also the founder and CEO of Collective Artists Network—a talent agency that represents numerous actors, writers, and filmmakers. The irony of a talent rep now backing AI-generated content wasn’t lost on Kashyap.
“Here is the man heading an agency that claims to stand for creators, now producing a film completely made by AI,” Kashyap wrote. “So much for protecting artists’ interests. At the end of the day, it's all about profit.”
The veteran director, known for his no-holds-barred approach both onscreen and off, accused the agency of prioritizing tech over talent simply because artists weren’t generating "enough returns." He warned that the move reflects a broader rot within the entertainment ecosystem—one that’s replacing creativity with algorithms.
“Any actor or anyone who still believes they’re an artist with integrity should be questioning him—or leaving the agency altogether,” he continued. “This is the future for the spineless and cowardly so-called artists in the Hindi film industry.”
The film in question, Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, is said to be entirely AI-generated—from scripting and visuals to dialogue delivery. While details about the film remain under wraps, its very concept has ignited debate over ethics, creativity, and the survival of human artistry in a tech-dominated age.
The director’s tirade comes on the heels of another AI-related controversy, where the 2013 hit Raanjhanaa was re-released with an AI-modified ending—again sparking outrage from artists who felt creatively erased.
Kashyap’s fury taps into a deeper anxiety within creative circles—are we trading emotion, nuance, and the human touch for efficiency and low-cost production? With the fifth industrial revolution looming and AI tech surging into every sector, the film industry finds itself at a crossroads: evolve or resist. But if Kashyap’s passionate post is any indication, resistance is far from futile—it’s just getting started.
Anurag Kashyap has never been one to mince words, but his latest attack is more than a rant—it's a warning. As AI continues its march into cinema, creatives may soon have to choose between embracing the machine or defending their craft. For Kashyap, the choice is clear. “Shame isn’t enough,” he wrote. “You should be in the gutter.”
The storm is just beginning.
Check out his post: