The Indian film industry is in an uproar over the recent announcement of Chiranjeevi Hanuman—The Eternal, an AI-generated movie that will come out on Hanuman Jayanti in 2026. Anurag Kashyap, the director, used social media to say how much he didn’t like it, and he went after one of the producers, Vijay Subramaniam.
Kashyap posted a harsh message on Instagram that included a screenshot of the movie’s poster and drew attention to Subramaniam’s name. He criticized Subramaniam for being the head of the Collective Artists Network, which represents writers, directors, and artists, while also supporting an AI-made enterprise. “So much for looking out for and representing the interests of creators,” Kashyap said.
He then accused talent agencies of only wanting to make money, saying that when their clients don’t make enough money, they turn to AI as a cheaper option. Kashyap said, “Any actor or artist with a spine should question him or leave the agency because he has shown that he thinks you can’t compete with his AI performance.”
The filmmaker closed his email with an even harsher attack, claiming that this is what will happen to the “spineless” in the Hindi film industry and that Subramaniam should be “in the gutter.”
Filmmakers Fight Back Against AI
It’s not just Anurag Kashyap who is worried. Vikramaditya Motwane, the director, also posted the news on his Instagram stories with the caption, “And so it begins…” When it’s “Made in AI,” who needs authors and directors?
The discussion comes at a time when AI in movies is a hot topic. The movie Raanjhanaa’s finale was changed by AI, which also drew criticism from the industry.
The Producer’s Case
Vijay Subramaniam, the Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, defended the project in a message to the press. He said that Chiranjeevi Hanuman was a fresh approach to transmit traditional stories to a new audience. Subramaniam remarked, “Our approach is based on honesty and cultural stewardship, which makes it clear how AI fits into the creative process.” He said that the movie, which is being made with Abundantia Entertainment, will use AI to bring ancient works like the Ramayana and Puranic literature to life for people today. A team of more than 50 engineers is working on the project, which aims to combine epic storytelling with the latest technology.