AI Disrupts Bollywood with Modified Film Endings, New AI-Generated Movie

Bollywood is facing a significant disruption as artificial intelligence begins to alter the creative process within India's film industry. The controversy ignited when the 2013 film Raanjhanaa was re-released in Tamil with an AI-modified ending that changed its tragic finale to a hopeful one without the consent of the original director Aanand L. Rai and star Dhanush, who condemned the alteration as a violation of creative rights and a threat to storytelling integrity. Shortly after, the announcement of India’s first fully AI-generated feature film, Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, set for release in 2026, sparked debate among filmmakers about the implications of AI replacing traditional roles such as writers and directors. The industry is divided, with some viewing AI as a cost-saving innovation that could reduce the need for large production crews, while others warn it endangers the artistic soul and legacy of cinema. Prominent figures like director Rai acknowledge AI's future role but stress it should not rewrite the past. The evolving debate reflects broader concerns about balancing technological advances with preserving creative authorship in Bollywood.