Viral deepfake? Kayadu Lohar reacts to saree-and-undercut photo

A single image sent the internet into a frenzy this week, Kayadu Lohar in a saree with a bold undercut hairstyle, went viral, leaving fans shocked and confused. Many wondered: did she actually chop off her hair for a new look, or was this a sneaky AI trick?

Speaking out for the first time, Kayadu told Galatta, “I did see that image… I don’t know what I can say about it.” She confirmed that the viral photo was not real and was created using AI, putting to rest rumours of a drastic personal makeover or a film look.

Her co-star, Tovino Thomas, who was present during the interview for their upcoming film Pallichattambi, weighed in, “Nowadays, it’s very hard to tell what is real and what is fake because of AI.” His words perfectly capture the growing anxiety around digital manipulation in entertainment.

Fans immediately sensed something was off because the image wasn’t shared on Kayadu’s official social media, a move celebrities usually make when revealing new looks. The confusion deepened when eagle-eyed viewers found that the viral photo seemed to be edited from a clip of Kayadu wearing the same saree during an interview with Suma Kanakala.

While AI stunts made headlines, Kayadu is busy with back-to-back film projects. She stars in the highly anticipated Pallichattambi, directed by Dijo Jose Antony, alongside Vijayaraghavan, Johny Antony, and TG Ravi, releasing April 10.

She also features in the action drama The Paradise with Nani, directed by Srikanth Odela. The release date has been pushed to August 21, 2026, keeping fans eagerly waiting.