The first glimpse of Chiranjeevi Hanuman-The Eternal, an upcoming mythological film based on Lord Hanuman, was unveiled on December 18, 2025. The announcement immediately drew attention due to its scale and subject. The film positions itself as a bold technological experiment.
Following the growing trend of AI-integrated cinema, the glimpse features AI-generated visuals. These include stylised epic landscapes and an imagined form of the deity. The visuals signal a clear attempt to blend mythology with emerging technology.
The film is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rajesh Mapuskar. It is produced by Star Studios18 along with Abundantia Entertainment and others, including Vijay Subramaniam. The makers describe it as India’s first fully AI-generated theatrical feature.
However, the release has reignited earlier debates around AI in filmmaking. When the project was announced in August 2025 as a fully “Made in India” AI feature, it faced strong criticism from within the industry. Many questioned the creative implications.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap openly criticised producer Vijay Subramaniam for backing an AI-driven film. He called it a betrayal of human creators and used harsh language to express his concerns. His remarks sparked widespread discussion online.
Other filmmakers, including Vikramaditya Motwane, also raised questions. They debated the future role of writers and directors in AI-led cinema. The conversation highlighted growing unease about creativity and authorship in such projects.
The first glimpse has received mixed reactions on social media platforms like X. Some users praised the innovation and described the visuals as breathtaking. Others felt the AI-generated imagery looked cheap and lacked emotional depth.
Several viewers compared the film to Mahavatar Narsimha, another AI-generated feature released earlier this year. That film achieved notable box office success. The comparison has further fuelled debate about audience acceptance of AI cinema.
As Indian cinema experiments with mythology and modern technology, questions continue to surface about AI’s impact on creativity and jobs. Chiranjeevi Hanuman-The Eternal is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on Hanuman Jayanti 2026, likely around April 2026.
