Rashmika Mandanna’s Deepfake Video Goes Viral, Prompts Criticism from Amitabh Bachchan, IT Minister
In an alarming instance that highlights the misuse of artificial intelligence for disseminating false information, a deepfake video featuring the actress Rashmika Mandanna has rapidly gained traction on the internet. Subsequently, the actress from ‘Pushpa’ conveyed her disappointment with the viral counterfeit video and underscored the potential harm caused by such technology to tarnish someone’s reputation.
At first glance, the AI-generated video depicts the ‘Pushpa’ actress in a black dress, entering an elevator. However, it is important to note that this video actually features a different individual and was created through the application of deepfake AI technology. The video has garnered reactions from prominent figures, ranging from actors like Amitabh Bachchan to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Following the video’s widespread circulation on social media, Rashmika Mandanna expressed her deep concern, deeming it “extremely unsettling” to witness the misuse of technology in this manner.
Mandanna further conveyed her distress via Instagram, expressing how profoundly hurt she was upon encountering the video. In the deceptive clip, a woman in a black workout outfit is shown inside an elevator, her face having been digitally altered using artificial intelligence to resemble Mandanna.
As she reflected on the situation, Rashmika Mandanna emphasized the importance of her family, friends, and well-wishers as her pillars of support and protection. She also stressed the urgency of addressing this issue collectively as a community to prevent further individuals from falling victim to such identity-based harm.
Mandanna shared her thoughts on Instagram, stating, “Today, as a woman and an actor, I am grateful for the security and support provided by my family, friends, and well-wishers. However, I shudder to think how I would have coped with something like this during my school or college years. It is imperative that we address this as a community with utmost urgency to safeguard ourselves from the repercussions of technology misuse.”
The actress, renowned for her roles in films such as “Pushpa,” “Mission Majnu,” and the upcoming “Animal,” expressed her sentiments, describing the deepfake video as “deeply unsettling” for both herself and anyone vulnerable to technological misuse.
Even before Rashmika Mandanna issued her statement, the video had garnered a swift response from Amitabh Bachchan. As the first to react, he demanded the implementation of a legal and regulatory framework to address deepfake issues in India, following a fact-checker’s release of the deepfake clip alongside the original video of a British-Indian social media personality, Zara Patel.
Deepfake technology utilizes AI and machine learning to create fabricated visual and audio content designed to deceive viewers by superimposing one individual’s characteristics onto another’s media file, making it appear authentic. The potential for defamation and the dissemination of false information has led to its prohibition on various platforms.
