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Last Updated: April 08, 2025, 19:15 IST
In 2023, a morphed video of Rashmika Mandanna went viral on social media. Several celebrities also expressed concern over the viral video.
Nushrratt Bharuccha discusses Rashmika Mandanna’s experience with deepfake technology
Nushrratt Bharuccha recently shared her thoughts on Rashmika Mandanna’s deepfake incident, labeling it as frightening. During an exclusive interview at News18’s Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Nushrratt highlighted the distressing potential for technology to be misappropriated. A manipulated video of Rashmika made headlines in 2023.
While speaking at the summit, the actress from Chhorii 2 stated, “Yes, absolutely, it’s very alarming. Women of all ages continuously face various pressures, and this is another layer of complexity. The realm of deepfakes and AI is something that’s foreign to me. I didn’t grow up with these technologies, and I didn’t study them in school. When I was learning, we relied primarily on books and had limited access to computers. If I found myself in a situation like that, I would be at a loss for how to respond or whom to turn to for guidance. We live in a time where the internet and these technologies are rapidly evolving. It’s difficult to anticipate their potential impact. In circumstances like this, I would seek assistance from cybercrime experts or authorities to understand the situation better, to stop it, and to identify the perpetrator. We need that kind of support, and I hope it is available.”
The controversial deepfake video featured a woman with Rashmika’s likeness appearing in a lift while dressed in a tight outfit. However, it was later confirmed that the footage was fabricated. The issue gained notable traction when legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan took to the social media platform X to call for legal measures. Other prominent figures such as Nani, Vijay Deverakonda, Naga Chaitanya, and Mrunal Thakur also voiced their concerns regarding the incident.
In the aftermath of the controversy, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged citing sections 465 (forgery) and 469 (forgery with intent to harm reputation) of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 66C and 66E of the Information Technology Act. This FIR was filed at the IFSO unit within the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. Subsequently, the Delhi Police reached out to META requesting the URL of the account responsible for the dissemination of the altered video.
Rashmika herself addressed the deepfake video situation, describing it as “scary.” She expressed her emotional pain over the incident via social media, stating, “It hurts to have to discuss this deepfake video of me circulating online. Such occurrences are incredibly alarming, not just for me but for everyone who could become a victim of similar technology misuse. As a woman and an actor, I’m grateful for my family, friends, and supporters who provide me with protection and guidance. However, had this happened to me during my school or college years, I truly cannot fathom how I would have managed it. It’s crucial for us to confront this issue together as a society before more individuals fall prey to identity theft.”
Nushrratt Bharuccha is set to appear in Chhorii 2, which will premiere on OTT platforms on April 11.
Source
www.news18.com