Anurag Kashyap slams producer of AI film Chiranjeevi Hanuman: ‘You should be in the gutter’

Anurag Kashyap slams AI producer of Hanuman film

The age of artificial intelligence in cinema has officially arrived, sparking equal measures of intrigue and controversy. On Tuesday, Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Media Network’s Historyverse unveiled Chiranjeevi Hanuman—The Eternal, an AI-generated feature inspired by the lore of Lord Hanuman.

Branded as both “Made-in-AI” and “Made in India,” the film is slated for release on Hanuman Jayanti in 2026.

While the announcement stirred conversation about the future of storytelling, it also drew sharp criticism from filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Taking to Instagram, Anurag singled out producer Vijay Subramaniam—one of the names attached to the project—for endorsing an AI-driven film despite simultaneously leading the Collective Artists Network, an agency representing actors, writers, and directors.

Sharing a screengrab of the poster, Anurag wrote, “Congratulations @vijaysubramaniam84. Here is the man heading the @lifeatcollectiveartistsnetwork that represents artists, writer, directors, now producing a film made by AI. So much for looking after and representing the interests of creators.”

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A post shared by Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap10)

His critique went further, accusing agencies of prioritising profit over creativity: “End of the day, all these agencies are only interested in making money off you and since they choose turkeys after turkeys for you and you’re not making enough for them, they are going all AI. Any actor or anyone who calls themselves artists and has a spine will be and should be either questioning him or leaving the agency since he has proved that he thinks you’re no match for his AI performance.”

In an unusually scathing remark, the director added that Vijay “should be in the gutter,” calling the move symbolic of the industry’s decline: “This right here is the future for the spineless and cowardly so called artists in the Hindi Film industry. Well done Vijay Subramaniam. Shame is not enough on you. You should be in the gutter.”

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Kashyap wasn’t alone in voicing concern. Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane also weighed in, reposting the announcement with the words: “And so it begins… Who TF needs writers and directors when it’s ‘Made in AI’.”

Responding to the debate, Subramaniam defended the project, saying: “With this film, we have the extraordinary opportunity to reimagine cultural storytelling for an audience that cherishes both tradition and innovation. Our approach is rooted in authenticity and cultural stewardship, ensuring complete transparency about the role of AI in the creative process.”