The actor said AI-generated abuse had added another dimension to the physical and social pressures women already face.

Photo: Instagram

MUMBAI: Indian actor Janhvi Kapoor has condemned an AI-generated deepfake that manipulated footage from her Devara: Part 1 song Chuttamalle, describing the non-consensual use of her image as a “deeply violating” act.

The manipulated video, which circulated widely online, digitally altered footage featuring Kapoor from the 2024 film and portrayed her in a sexually explicit manner that was not part of the original production.

The incident has sparked concern across the Indian film industry and renewed debate over the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fabricated and intimate content involving women without their consent.

Janhvi Kapoor Speaks Out Against Deepfake

Breaking her silence on the controversy on Instagram, Kapoor said the issue went beyond the specific video involving her and reflected wider concerns about the treatment of women’s bodies, choices and personal boundaries.

She described the non-consensual circulation of fabricated content as a serious violation and said women in the entertainment industry and elsewhere are increasingly being subjected to similar forms of abuse.

Kapoor stressed that consent should not be considered complicated or open to interpretation. She said women should retain control over decisions involving their bodies, appearance and personal boundaries regardless of what they wear or choices they have made in the past.

AI Abuse Creates New Threat for Women

The actor said AI-generated abuse had added another dimension to the physical and social pressures women already face.

According to Kapoor, technology has created a new avenue for harassment, objectification and violations of privacy, particularly through the creation and circulation of manipulated images and videos.

She also called for a broader change in social attitudes, arguing that the responsibility for preventing harassment should not fall solely on women or their families.

Instead, Kapoor urged society to challenge attitudes that allow people to believe they have the right to cross another person’s boundaries.

Jr NTR Condemns Manipulated Video

Kapoor thanked her Devara: Part 1 co-star Jr NTR for speaking out against the manipulated video.

NTR had earlier condemned the clip and said he would pursue legal action against those responsible for creating and circulating it.

The controversy has once again highlighted concerns surrounding AI deepfakes, particularly when the technology is used to fabricate intimate, sexualised or degrading material involving people without their knowledge or consent.

Kapoor concluded her message by emphasising that women have the right to control their own images, bodies and boundaries.

She called for people involved in harassment to reflect on their actions and questioned whether asking to be treated and seen as a human being should be considered too much.

The actor’s message centred on the principle that women should be treated as individuals with the right to control their own images, bodies and personal boundaries.