Hafeez Tahir alleges AI film based on 'Ainak Wala Jin' used his creation without permission
The creator of the 1990s Pakistani television series Ainak Wala Jin alleged that an AI-generated feature film released in July 2026 used his original work without permission or consultation. He claimed the filmmakers and Pakistan Television distorted the characters and damaged the legacy of his creation.
What happened
An AI-generated feature film based on the original Ainak Wala Jin television series was released in cinemas on July 24, 2026, and marketed as Asia's first AI-generated feature-length movie. The film was directed and written by Farhan Khan.
Hafeez Tahir, the original creator, writer, and director of the 1993 television series, alleged that neither filmmaker Farhan Khan nor Pakistan Television (PTV) sought his permission or involved him in the production. Tahir stated that Ainak Wala Jin was entirely his original concept, including the title, story, and characters.
Reported impact
Tahir claimed the film distorted the original characters, alleging that the AI had altered their appearance and made them unrecognizable. He specifically stated that Nastoor Jin now looked like a bandit rather than the magical figure audiences remembered, and that Hamoon Jadugar's face and voice had been ruined.
Tahir expressed that the filmmakers had destroyed the essence of his 'great and beautiful idea' by using AI-generated music and altering the characters' appearances and personalities, causing him emotional harm as the original creator.
Index analysis
The case involves use of intellectual property from a creative work—the original 1993 television series—to create a derivative AI-generated film without the original creator's consent. Tahir claimed the show continued to generate revenue for PTV on digital platforms decades after its original broadcast.
Governance controls
Tahir questioned whether he should pursue legal action in response to what he termed 'daylight robbery,' indicating no formal legal proceedings had been initiated at the time of his public statements.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.