Janhvi Kapoor AI deepfake: Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu condemn video

A group of leading South Indian film figures has condemned an AI-generated deepfake video of actor Janhvi Kapoor that circulated online this weekend. The Indian Express reported that the video uses footage from the song “Chuttamalle” from Devara: Part 1 to depict Kapoor in a degrading manner, and that after it went viral Jr NTR said he would take legal action against those responsible. Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, Khushbu Sundar and Ram Gopal Varma reacted publicly as well. Hindustan Times reported that the clip spread widely before being taken down.

This report does not describe the video. None of the reports it draws on carried a statement from Kapoor herself.

Key facts: the Chuttamalle deepfake

Detail	What was reported
What it is	An AI-generated, morphed video built on the “Chuttamalle” song from Devara: Part 1, per The Indian Express
Who reacted	Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, Khushbu Sundar and Ram Gopal Varma
Jr NTR	Said he would take “every possible legal action” against those who created and spread it
Chiranjeevi	Will raise it with the Telugu Film Chamber and the Producers’ Council and suggest a committee and support cell
Status of the clip	Circulated widely before being taken down, per Hindustan Times
Helpline	The Indian Express listed the National Cyber Crime Helpline, 1930

Jr NTR’s warning

In a post on X on Saturday, Jr NTR opened with the words “Disgusting. Sick. Shameless.”, The Indian Express reported. He wrote that “in a land that worships women as mothers and goddesses”, some people had fallen low enough to use AI “to disrespect a woman in the most degrading way possible”. Addressing those behind the clip, he wrote: “I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it.”

He also asked the public not to watch, share or engage with the content, and urged state governments and the Government of India to “act strongly” with strict regulations against the misuse of AI.

Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar

Chiranjeevi wrote on X on October 3 that he was “deeply disturbed” by the use of AI to create degrading and morphed videos of a woman, calling such acts “cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable”. “This is not an issue concerning just one individual or one film,” he wrote. “Today, it has happened to someone else. Tomorrow, it could happen to you, me or anyone we know.”

The Indian Express said he asked for Cyber Crime authorities to act, wrote that those who create and deliberately spread such content must be held accountable under the law, and said he would take the matter to the Telugu Film Chamber, the Producers’ Council and affiliated industry bodies. He recommended a dedicated committee and support cell that would work with Cyber Crime authorities to help those affected, coordinate removal of such content and pursue legal action. He also urged the central and state governments to act and asked people not to watch, download or share the videos, even to condemn them, but to report them to the platforms and Cyber Crime authorities.

Vijay Deverakonda wrote on X that whoever was responsible “should not be spared” and must face the harshest legal consequences. He called the video “the digital equivalent of sexual assault” and said the law must treat such acts with the utmost seriousness. He added that “to the team standing up against this, you have my full support.”

Politician-actor Khushbu Sundar, writing on X on October 4, called what had been done “cruel, abusive and deeply shameful”, and wrote: “A woman’s body is not content. Her dignity is not entertainment.” Addressing Kapoor, she wrote, “I stand with you… Stay strong bachcha.”

A different view from Ram Gopal Varma

Not everyone agreed on how to respond. The Indian Express reported that Ram Gopal Varma argued on X that the celebrities who spoke out had succeeded only in publicising the link to “crores and crores of people”. In his view, the smarter course would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator, and the tweets had drawn enormous attention to the victim’s identity and the offensive content, which he said is also a crime.

Yami Gautam’s request on AI-altered photos

Separately, Yami Gautam asked the media not to use AI on her pictures. Hindustan Times reported that the actor, who recently won the National Award for Best Actress, posted on X on Sunday: “Please refrain from using AI to alter or enhance my photographs from public appearances. Kindly use images in original form.” She added that altering or manipulating a person’s image or likeness using AI “should not be done without their knowledge and consent”.

Hindustan Times linked her request to the wider concern over AI-generated celebrity content and recalled that the Bombay High Court last week directed social media platforms to take down objectionable material featuring actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, including AI-generated deepfakes, as well as merchandise and advertisements that allegedly used her name, image and likeness without permission. Yami’s next film, Nayyi Navelli, releases in theatres on October 16, the outlet said; she plays Mohini, a new daughter-in-law in the Awasthi family.

Not the first case

The Indian Express noted that the Chuttamalle deepfake is not the first time AI has been used to create non-consensual sexual content involving Indian actresses. Rashmika Mandanna was among the first major actresses to speak publicly about being targeted, in November 2023, and Kajol, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif have also been the subject of manipulated or AI-generated content. The outlet added that the video surfaced just days after Kareena Kapoor said at an Express event that “the only thing I can see is the way it’s being used online negatively”, calling it “very disturbing”.

Anyone affected by online harassment or cybercrime can report it through the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930, The Indian Express noted.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Janhvi Kapoor deepfake video controversy?

The Indian Express reported that an AI-generated video using footage from the song Chuttamalle in Devara: Part 1 depicted Janhvi Kapoor in a degrading manner and went viral. Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar condemned it.

Will Jr NTR take legal action over the Chuttamalle deepfake?

Yes, according to The Indian Express. Jr NTR wrote on X that he would take every possible legal action against those who created and are spreading the morphed video, and urged governments to bring in strict AI regulations.

What did Yami Gautam say about AI and her photos?

Hindustan Times reported that Yami Gautam asked the media not to use AI to alter or enhance her photographs from public appearances and to use images in their original form. She said altering a person’s image or likeness with AI should not be done without their knowledge and consent.