Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has criticised the newly announced project Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal. Produced by Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Artists Network, the film is billed as both ‘Made-in-AI’ and ‘Made-in-India’ and is set for release in 2026 on Hanuman Jayanti. While stars like Ranveer Singh, Pulkit Samrat, and Bhumi Pednekar expressed excitement, Anurag’s social media post sparked controversy.
Anurag Kashyap Calls Out AI Film
Anurag shared a screenshot of the announcement poster and pointed out the name of producer Vijay Subramaniam. In a detailed note, he wrote, “Congratulations Vijay Subramaniam. Here is the man head the Collective Artist Network that represents artists, writer, directors , now producing a film made by AI. So much for looking after and representing the interests of creators. End of the day, all these agencies are only interested in making money off you and since they choose turkeys after turkeys for you and you’re not making enough for them, they are going all AI.”
He also targeted actors supporting the project by saying, “Any actor or anyone who calls themselves artists and has a spine will be and should be either questioning him or leaving the agency since he has proved that he thinks you’re no match for his AI performance.”
Netizens Slam Anurag Kashyap
Anurag’s post triggered divided reactions online. While some supported him for calling out AI in filmmaking, many criticised him for hypocrisy and personal attacks.
Check out some online reactions that opposed him:
“Ai is here to stay. Keep crying and keep making mediocre movies that only you and your circle likes.”
“Anurag is unhappy that someone used AI for a Hindu themed movie thus preventing his gang from blocking it.”
“Anurag, let’s be honest, your career now survives on noise, not films. After Wasseypur and Raman Raghav 2.0, what have you given this country that people actually pay for? 90% don’t step into theatres for your films, they wait for OTT, and even then regret wasting two hours. Your validation comes from film fests, not your own countrymen. You make films for a Bandra clique and act like the voice of Indian cinema.”
“Saying someone to be in gutter just because they are adapting new technologies and trends is not good”
“He promotes his own daughter Aaliyah Kashyap but pretends to care for the common artists.”
“kalesh chalu kyu nahi hua?”
“Arre itna kya bolne ki zarurat hai “You should be in the gutter”. Just criticise the use of AI in the movie, what’s with personal stuff.”
“Never saw him being this concerned when people edited the original ending of an actual movie using AI, but dare someone make a Hindu themed movie.”
About The AI Film And Producer
According to The Hindu, Collective Artists Network represents top stars like Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, Kartik Aaryan, and Rashmika Mandanna. The AI project involves a team of over 50 engineers from Galleri5, the tech wing of the agency. Cultural scholars and literary experts were consulted to maintain narrative authenticity. The soundtrack is composed by Trilok, described as the world’s first AI-powered band.
Producer Vijay Subramaniam defended the project, stating to Indian Silicon Valley, “For me, it was always about building a foundation of powering the next generation of content curators and creators of the country.”
Co-producer Abundantia Entertainment has a history of producing successful films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shakuntala Devi, and Ram Setu.
