Anurag Kashyap blasts Chiranjeevi Hanuman producer over AI film, ‘You should be in gutter’

Kashyap Calls Out AI-Driven Filmmaking

In a bold critique that has sent ripples through the Indian film industry, acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has openly condemned the upcoming AI-generated film Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal. Scheduled for release on Hanuman Jayanti 2026, the film is being marketed as completely “Made in AI” and “Made in India.”

The ambitious project is produced by Vijay Subramaniam, who also heads the Collective Artists Network, an influential talent management agency representing some of the biggest names in entertainment. Kashyap, however, sees the project not as a milestone in technology, but as a betrayal of creative ethics.

What Did Anurag Kashyap Say?

Taking to social media, Kashyap did not mince words. He highlighted the contradiction of a man leading an artist-focused agency while simultaneously pushing a film that sidelines human creators.

“Any actor or anyone who calls themselves artists and has a spine will be and should be either questioning him or leaving the agency,” Kashyap wrote, directly urging professionals to reconsider their ties with Subramaniam.

He accused the producer of prioritizing profit over artistry and compared the move to agencies cashing in on AI hype at the expense of genuine creative talent. His statement concluded with an unfiltered rebuke:

“Well done Vijay Subramaniam. Shame is not enough, you should be in the gutter for this.”

Vikramaditya Motwane Joins the Debate

Kashyap’s outburst quickly gained momentum when director Vikramaditya Motwane, a longtime collaborator and friend, added his own voice. Sharing the film’s announcement poster, Motwane captioned it:

“And so it begins… Who TF needs writers and directors when it’s ‘Made in AI’?”

His comment summed up the unease many filmmakers feel—that once studios embrace AI, the demand for scriptwriters, directors, and even actors could shrink dramatically. What’s being marketed as innovation, they argue, is really a threat to the foundations of storytelling.

Dhanush and the AI-Generated Ending of Raanjhanaa

This isn’t the first time Indian cinema has clashed with AI. Earlier this year, the Tamil re-release of Raanjhanaa—retitled Ambikapathy—sparked outrage when it included an AI-generated alternate ending. Neither director Aanand L. Rai nor lead actor Dhanush had approved the change.

Fans were left divided: some praised the technology for “giving closure” to certain characters, while others blasted it as disrespectful to the filmmakers’ original vision. Dhanush himself criticized the move, emphasizing that reimagining art without consent strips away its integrity.

Broader Industry Concerns

Kashyap’s comments, Motwane’s warnings, and the Raanjhanaa controversy all point to a larger industry-wide anxiety: what happens to creativity when AI becomes the star of the show?

Directors like Zoya Akhtar and Om Raut have already raised concerns about AI altering works without approval. Their argument is simple: cinema isn’t just about delivering content—it’s about voice, intent, and vision. An algorithm, no matter how advanced, lacks the human perspective that makes stories resonate.

The AI vs. Artist Battle

What makes the Chiranjeevi Hanuman case especially heated is the involvement of Subramaniam. As the head of an artists’ network, his decision to produce an AI film feels to many like a betrayal of the very people he represents.

For actors, writers, and directors represented by his agency, the situation raises uncomfortable questions: if their own agent believes an AI project is the future, where does that leave them? Kashyap’s call for artists to “question or leave” is a direct challenge, forcing talent to pick a side in an increasingly polarized debate.

What This Means for the Future of Cinema

The controversy may be just the beginning. As AI tools become cheaper and more accessible, more producers may try to cash in on the novelty of AI-generated films. But Kashyap and others argue that cinema without human creators is soulless.

The release of Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal in 2026 will likely serve as a litmus test: will audiences embrace AI-driven storytelling, or will they reject it as a gimmick lacking the emotional weight of human artistry?

For now, Kashyap’s fiery words have ensured that the debate won’t go away anytime soon.

Story Highlights

• Anurag Kashyap criticizes the AI-generated film Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, calling out producer Vijay Subramaniam.
• Vikramaditya Motwane and others echo concerns about AI replacing human creativity.
• Earlier, Raanjhanaa’s Tamil re-release stirred backlash for its AI-altered ending.
• The controversy reflects growing unease about AI’s role in reshaping cinema.