Chiranjeevi takes fight against AI deepfakes to Amit Shah; Ram Charan joins meeting
The growing misuse of artificial intelligence to create fake and objectionable content featuring film stars has prompted Megastar Chiranjeevi to seek government intervention. The actor, accompanied by his son Ram Charan, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Hyderabad on Monday, November 2, to raise concerns about the impact of AI-generated videos and deepfakes on the film industry.
The meeting follows Chiranjeevi's public appeal for action against digitally manipulated content targeting artists. He is understood to have requested the appointment to explain how such technology is being misused and the threat it poses to individuals' privacy, dignity, creative rights and professional lives.
Chiranjeevi reportedly urged the Centre to introduce stronger safeguards and impose strict penalties on those who create and circulate such material. Amit Shah heard the concerns and assured the actor that the government would examine the issue on priority, according to sources. He also advised Chiranjeevi to submit a written representation and asked Union Minister G Kishan Reddy to coordinate the matter.
The actor welcomed the response, expressing hope that the discussion would translate into concrete measures to protect members of the film fraternity.
Ram Charan later shared details of the meeting on Instagram. He said he was encouraged by the Home Minister's response and the assurance that the government would look into the matter.
He added that the assurance of stronger safeguards and action against those misusing the technology was encouraging, and thanked Shah for his time and support.
Janhvi Kapoor's AI-morphed video brought the issue into focus
The meeting comes weeks after an AI-manipulated video featuring actor Janhvi Kapoor triggered widespread outrage. The clip used footage of Kapoor from the song Chuttamalle, featuring Jr NTR in the 2024 film ‘Devara: Part 1’, and altered it to create sexually explicit imagery that was not part of the original song.
Jr NTR condemned the video and said he would pursue legal action against those who created and circulated it.
Janhvi Kapoor later described the manipulated content as deeply violating and said it bordered on sexual assault. She also pointed out that such digital exploitation was not an isolated experience, adding that women in the film industry had faced similar forms of abuse.
Chiranjeevi had also spoken out against the incident on X on October 3. He called for the Telugu film fraternity to work together and urged people not to view, download or share the manipulated clips, even while criticising them. Instead, he asked the public to report such content to social media platforms and cybercrime authorities.
He proposed setting up a dedicated committee and support cell involving film industry bodies and cybercrime officials. The proposed team, he said, could assist those targeted, coordinate the removal of abusive material and pursue legal action against those responsible.
With agency inputs