It seems like a storm is brewing in the Indian film industry, and it's all centered around one thing: Artificial Intelligence. An announcement for a new film, proudly marketed as 'Made-in-AI,' has just dropped, and it's already ignited a fiery debate. This isn't just about new technology; it’s a clash of ideologies that has prominent filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane drawing a line in the sand.
Key Highlights
- ✓ A new film, Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, has been announced as a 'Made-in-AI' and 'Made in India' project, set for a 2026 release.
- ✓ Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap launched a scathing attack on producer Vijay Subramaniam, stating he "should be in the gutter" for backing the project.
- ✓ Director Vikramaditya Motwane also voiced strong concerns, questioning the need for writers and directors in an era of AI filmmaking.
- ✓ The producer defended the film as a way to "reimagine cultural storytelling" with complete transparency about AI's role.
- ✓ This controversy follows a similar issue where the Tamil version of Raanjhanaa was re-released with an AI-altered climax, angering its original creators.
The Announcement That Ignited the Fury
So, what's all the fuss about? It started with an announcement from production house Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Media Network’s Historyverse. They revealed plans for a full-length theatrical film about the Hindu deity Hanuman, titled Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal. The project is slated for release on Hanuman Jayanti in 2026 and is being described as a first-of-its-kind project, created entirely using artificial intelligence.
The film aims to provide a modern visual retelling of Hanuman's story, drawing from the Ramayana and Purāṇic texts. The production will be powered by Galleri5, the tech division of Collective Artists Network, which has reportedly assigned over 50 engineers to work on it alongside cultural scholars. Even the soundtrack is getting the AI treatment, composed by Trilok, described as the world's first AI-powered band. It sounds ambitious, right? But not everyone is impressed.
Anurag Kashyap's Scathing Condemnation
Enter Anurag Kashyap, a filmmaker known for never mincing his words. He took to social media to share a screenshot of the film's announcement poster, singling out producer Vijay Subramaniam. What's particularly controversial here is that Subramaniam is the Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, a major agency that represents actors, writers, and directors. Kashyap saw this as a massive conflict of interest.
Kashyap didn't hold back, writing, “Congratulations @vijaysubramaniam84. Here is the man heading the @lifeatcollectiveartistsnetwork that represents artists, writer, directors, now producing a film made by AI. So much for looking after and representing the interests of creators.” He accused such agencies of being driven solely by profit, suggesting they're turning to AI because human artists aren't making them enough money. You can almost feel the frustration, can't you?
His criticism grew harsher, arguing that any artist with a "spine" should question Subramaniam or leave his agency. He concluded with a truly brutal takedown: “Shame is not enough on you. You should be in the gutter.” It’s a powerful statement that frames this move not just as a business decision, but as a betrayal of the very people the agency is supposed to champion.
Vikramaditya Motwane Joins the Chorus of Concern
And Kashyap wasn't the only one sounding the alarm. Renowned filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane quickly reposted the announcement on his Instagram stories with a sharp, sarcastic comment. He wrote, “And so it begins… Who TF needs writers and directors when its ‘Made in AI’.” His words cut straight to the core fear shared by many creatives: that this technology is being positioned to replace them entirely.
This isn't a new stance for Motwane. He has previously spoken at length about the dangers of AI in filmmaking. He sees the primary threat not coming from creators using AI as a tool, but from "people with money wanting to use it to save more money for themselves." It's about a power dynamic where producers could potentially use AI to cut costs by firing human talent, fundamentally changing how films are made.
A Troubling Precedent: The Raanjhanaa Controversy
This whole situation feels eerily familiar because the industry just dealt with a similar issue. Last month, the Tamil version of the 2013 film Raanjhanaa, titled Ambikapathy, was re-released by Eros Entertainment with an AI-altered climax. The original film, starring Dhanush, had a tragic ending where his character, Kundan, dies. The AI version was created to give the story a "happy ending" where Kundan survives.
The original creators were furious. Director Aanand L Rai and star Dhanush publicly criticized the move, calling it a violation of creative integrity. They stated that they never gave consent for such a change. This incident highlighted how AI could be used to retroactively alter an artist's work without their permission, raising serious ethical and creative questions that are now bubbling to the surface again with Chiranjeevi Hanuman.
The Defense: Reimagining Culture with Technology
Of course, there are two sides to every story. The producers of Chiranjeevi Hanuman see things very differently. In a press release, Vijay Subramaniam defended the project, framing it as a blend of tradition and innovation. He said, "With this film, we have the extraordinary opportunity to reimagine cultural storytelling for an audience that cherishes both tradition and innovation."
He emphasized that their approach is "rooted in authenticity and cultural stewardship," and promised "complete transparency about the role of AI in the creative process." Vikram Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, echoed this sentiment. He highlighted his company's history of championing uniquely Indian stories and positioned this project as a natural extension of that legacy, using cutting-edge tools to tell an iconic story in a "never-before manner." They believe they are not erasing culture but presenting it in an immersive new way for a global audience.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, the announcement of Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal has drawn a clear battle line in Bollywood. On one side, you have filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, who see this as a dangerous step towards devaluing and replacing human artists for profit. On the other, you have producers like Vijay Subramaniam who view AI as a groundbreaking tool for cultural storytelling. This isn't just about one movie anymore; it's a debate about the soul of filmmaking and the future of creative work in an increasingly automated world.
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