CJ Desk

Raanjhanaa, starring Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush, originally released in 2013, is set to return to theatres on August 1 after over a decade. However, controversy erupted when director Aanand L Rai expressed his disappointment with production house Eros International for altering the film’s climax, now created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), without consulting him. Now, Eros Media World’s Group CEO, Pradeep Dwivedi, has responded to Rai’s claims, denying any wrongdoing and calling the new ending a ‘creative reimagining.’

In a statement to news agency PTI, Eros said, “This is a creative reimagining, not a replacement, and is consistent with global industry practices, including anniversary editions, alternate cuts, and modernised remasters. We categorically reject Mr Rai’s allegations, which are not only factually incorrect but also legally unfounded. The re-release is a respectful reinterpretation and not a ‘tampering’ of the original.

It is clearly positioned as an alternate, AI-enhanced version—akin to Classic cuts or re-edits seen globally.” Eros further stated that the alternate ending aims to enhance viewer engagement and offer a fresh perspective, complementing the original storyline and clearly labelled as an alternate version.