Dhanush condemns the AI-altered ending of Raanjhanaa: This is not the film I committed to 12 years ago...

The recent re-release of Raanjhanaa, featuring an AI-generated alternate climax, has sparked a fierce debate within the film industry. Following vocal criticism from director Aanand L Rai, lead actor Dhanush has now broken his silence, expressing deep disappointment over the reimagined ending.

Re-released in cinemas on 1 August, Raanjhanaa—also known as Ambikapathy in Tamil—has come under fire for altering the fate of its protagonist.

In the original 2013 version, Kundan (played by Dhanush) dies tragically, a poignant moment that defined the film’s emotional core. However, in the AI-edited version, Kundan survives, waking up in hospital to an emotional reunion with Bindiya (Swara Bhasker) and Murari (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). The change has left many, including Dhanush, unsettled.

Taking to social media on Sunday, Dhanush released a strongly-worded statement titled For the love of cinema, denouncing the use of artificial intelligence in the film's revised ending. “The re-release of ‘Raanjhanaa’ with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me. This alternate ending has stripped the film of its very soul, and the concerned parties went ahead with it despite my clear objection,” he wrote.

“This is not the film I committed to 12 years ago. The use of AI to alter films or content is a deeply concerning precedent for both art and artists. It threatens the integrity of storytelling and the legacy of cinema. I sincerely hope that stricter regulations are put in place to prevent such practices in the future,” the actor added.