The AI controversy surrounding the re-release of Raanjhanaa continues to ripple through the film industry, with yet another prominent voice weighing in. Actor, director, and producer Farhan Akhtar has come out in support of the film’s original creator Aanand L. Rai, following the backlash against an unauthorized AI-generated ending that altered the film’s iconic and emotional conclusion.
Speaking at a recent event, Farhan made his stance clear, aligning himself with Rai and defending the sanctity of creative authorship. “I will always stand with the creator of the film,” he said. “When the creator is unhappy about his or her work being changed, I will always support the creator, so that is where my loyalty lies.” While he admitted to not knowing the exact details behind the edit, he emphasized that his support lies firmly with the original vision. “The rest, the fine print as to what happened there, I am not privy to any of it, but right now that’s all I can say.”
The controversy stems from the re-release of the 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa, starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor. In the original version, Kundan (played by Dhanush) dies in a heartbreaking climax, a moment that deeply resonated with audiences and gave the film its tragic gravitas. The AI-edited version, however, rewrites this moment entirely—Kundan wakes up in a hospital, reunited with his friends, played by Swara Bhasker and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, shifting the tone and message of the film entirely.
The altered ending sparked immediate backlash not just from fans but from those directly involved in the film. Both Aanand L. Rai and Dhanush publicly condemned the use of AI to modify the film without their knowledge or consent, calling it a breach of creative trust.
Farhan Akhtar’s comments now join those of others in the industry, including Ritesh Sidhwani, who have voiced concern over the implications of AI use in filmmaking. As the debate intensifies, one thing is clear: filmmakers and artists are drawing a line when it comes to consent and creative control in the age of artificial intelligence.