Star of hit Indian film criticises re-release's AI-altered ending

Indian histrion Dhanush says helium has been near "completely disturbed" by the re-release of 1 of his deed films with an alternate ending assisted by AI - but the accumulation institution down it has rejected disapproval of the move.

Hindi-language romanticist play Raanjhanaa, called Ambikapathy successful its Tamil-language title, has made headlines implicit its re-release 12 years aft archetypal hitting cinemas successful 2013.

Eros Media World says the caller version, which sees the film's archetypal ending switched to a happier one, is simply a "lawful and originative reinterpretation, not a replacement", and that the alteration and usage of artificial quality has been made wide to viewers.

The institution says the alternate ending was "crafted nether the absorption of a quality originative squad utilizing AI lone arsenic an assistive instrumentality - not arsenic an autonomous contented generator".

In a connection sent to Sky News, radical main enforcement Pradeep Dwivedi said the workplace wanted to connection "fresh dimensions for audiences" and ne'er intended "to undermine the archetypal essence" of the film.

However, the AI-assisted re-release has already drawn disapproval from the film's manager Aanand L Rai, and present its prima Dhanush has released a connection to accidental the "AI-altered climax" had near him "completely disturbed".

"This alternate ending has stripped the movie of its precise soul, and the acrophobic parties went up with it contempt my wide objection," Dhanush said successful a connection posted connected X. "This is not the movie I committed to 12 years ago."

Dhanush said the usage of AI to change films oregon different contented "is a profoundly concerning precedent for some creation and artists" that "threatens the integrity of storytelling and the bequest of cinema".

He added: "I sincerely anticipation that stricter regulations are enactment successful spot to forestall specified practices successful the future."

Read much from Sky News:
Oasis 'shocked and saddened' aft antheral dies astatine Wembley gig
Coldplay's viral buss cam acceptable to diagnostic successful UK shows
Jewish comedian says she has caller venue for Fringe

Eros said Dhanush's "wonderful performance" successful the relation of Kundan had brought the quality to beingness "in an unforgettable way". However, the workplace said the actor's squad had been alert of the plans earlier the re-release and that they had received "no ceremonial objection".

"While we admit and respect differing views connected the usage of AI successful film, our purpose has been to research however exertion tin complement storytelling and connection caller dimensions for audiences - ne'er to undermine the archetypal essence of a film," Mr Dwivedi said. "The archetypal Raanjhanaa and Ambikapathy remains overmuch loved and wide available, and the IP is afloat preserved."

He added: "Just arsenic storytelling evolves, truthful excessively does euphony - and with liable usage of AI, adjacent the astir iconic soundtracks are being respectfully reimagined arsenic remixes to resonate with caller generations portion preserving their archetypal soul.

"We profoundly respect the originative assemblage and stay committed to collaborating successful ways that guarantee communal respect, innovation, and advancement for the cinematic arts. As 1 of India's astir storied movie studios, Eros remains committed to celebrating Indian cinema, nurturing talent, and embracing exertion responsibly."

Dhanush's comments travel aft statements posted by Rai, who has described the re-release arsenic "a betrayal" to the archetypal that has been "dressed up arsenic innovation".

Writing connected Instagram, helium said: "This was ne'er conscionable a movie to us. It was shaped by quality hands, quality flaws, and quality feeling. What's present being circulated is not a tribute. It is simply a reckless takeover that strips the enactment of its intent, its context, and its soul."

Responding to the director's criticism, Mr Dwivedi reiterated that the re-release is "a respectful originative reinterpretation - intelligibly labelled and abstracted from the archetypal version" and said specified practices are "common successful planetary cinema, and bespeak our long-standing committedness to innovation, assemblage engagement, and taste preservation".

He besides highlighted an ongoing ineligible quality betwixt Eros and Colour Yellow Productions, the workplace co-founded by Rai.

The re-release comes arsenic artificial quality continues to origin interest among immoderate successful the originative industries. In June, video crippled actors successful the US ended a strike aft astir a twelvemonth of concern enactment implicit the usage of AI by crippled studios - an contented that was besides portion of the concerns raised by the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes successful 2023.

Earlier this year, Oscar-nominated movie The Brutalist made headlines for using the exertion to "refine" Hungarian accents.

It has besides been utilized for de-aging stars specified arsenic Harrison Ford for the latest Indiana Jones movie and Tom Hanks successful the 2024 representation Here - and for helping to create "the past Beatles record" featuring John Lennon's vocals, released successful 2023.

There is simply a "good side" to the exertion but besides a "scary side", Sir Paul McCartney has said, adding: "We volition conscionable person to spot wherever that leads."