In a surprising turn of events, the 2013 Hindi film Raanjhanaa, starring Dhanush, has been re-released, but with a major twist. Audiences were left stunned when the climax of the film was altered using AI technology, reviving Dhanush’s character who originally dies at the end.
For those who remember, Raanjhanaa marked Dhanush’s strong entry into Bollywood. The film, directed by Anand L. Rai with music by A.R. Rahman, was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. The Tamil dubbed version, Ambikapathy, also did well.
In the original ending, Dhanush’s character breathes his last in a hospital bed. As the camera fades out, we’re shown a symbolic scene where he’s reborn as a child, closing the story with a sense of poetic finality.
But in the updated version, the scene plays out differently as Dhanush suddenly opens his eyes, hinting that he survived. This unexpected moment, created with the help of AI, sent shockwaves through the theatre. Fans were seen cheering and clapping loudly, though many were equally confused.
This isn’t the first time AI has been used in Indian cinema. Recently, senior actor Vijayakanth who passed away was digitally recreated for a cameo in Vijay’s GOAT (The Greatest of All Time). Earlier, Venkatesh’s Kalisundam Raa also featured a similar experiment. However, with this Raanjhanaa change, the use of AI seems to be reaching a whole new level.
The twist has sparked a debate in film circles. On one hand, the technology is impressive. On the other, some feel it’s tampering with cinematic classics. Film lovers argue that emotional climaxes, especially those involving sacrifice — often leave a lasting impact. Changing them could dilute their meaning, especially for the next generation of viewers.
Imagine if iconic films like Devadasu or Premabhishekam were re-edited to make Nageswara Rao’s characters survive. Would they still carry the same emotional weight? Probably not. Such endings are remembered because of the deep emotions they evoke.
While it’s exciting to see how far technology has come, many believe that these kinds of experiments should be handled with care. Raanjhanaa might have set a trend, but whether it’s a good one remains to be seen.
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