'Deepfake victim' Rashmika Mandanna named National Ambassador for cyber safety

Mumbai: Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who faced a deepfake video incident earlier this year, has been named the National Ambassador for promoting cyber safety. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, made the appointment. Rashmika expressed her commitment to raising awareness about cyber safety, drawing from her own experience.

Rashmika said in a statement: "Cybercrime is a dangerous and pervasive threat that affects individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide.”

“As someone who has experienced this, I am dedicated to raising awareness about these issues and promoting the message of cyber safety to drive positive change. It is crucial that we come together to combat these threats and protect our digital spaces," she added.

As part of her role, Rashmika will lead national campaigns focused on educating the public about various cyber threats, including online fraud, deepfake videos, cyberbullying, and harmful AI-generated content. Her deepfake video incident sparked important discussions about the misuse of technology, leading many celebrities to speak out on the issue.

Rashmika is one of the highest-paid actresses in South India and was included in Forbes' ‘30 Under 30’ list for 2024. She made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada romantic comedy Kirik Party. Over her eight-year career, she gained significant recognition for her role in the hit film Pushpa: The Rise in 2021, which tells the story of a labourer involved in red sandalwood smuggling in Andhra Pradesh.

Following this success, she starred in the blockbuster Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, which became her highest-grossing film.

Rashmika will next appear in Pushpa: The Rule, the sequel to the original film, and in Chhaava, a historical epic featuring Vicky Kaushal, which is based on the life of Maratha Chhatrapati Sambhaji.

Agency