A recent spate of deepfake occurrences has rocked the Bollywood industry, generating controversy and raising questions about the dissemination of false or manipulated content via artificial intelligence (AI). The latest incident involves Photoshopped photos of well-known celebrities, Katrina Kaif and Rashmika Mandanna, which has the film industry and general public alarmed.
With the release of a deepfake photo of Katrina, who will star in the upcoming movie Tiger 3, the debate gained momentum. First, a real picture showed the actress in a scene where she seemed to be fighting a towel-draped Hollywood stuntwoman.
The Tiger 3 trailer also features this moment. But according to NDTV, a modified version of this photo has gone viral, showing her in a changed outfit—instead of the original towel, a low-cut white top and matching bottom.
The edited image has provoked indignation and strong reactions on social media sites. It was produced using AI techniques that can manipulate facial features in images and movies. Many people expressed shock and alarm about the altered image, denouncing it as a deplorable act of employing artificial intelligence (AI) to distort women’s appearances that might have legal repercussions.
Katrina Kaif’s towel scene from Tiger 3 gets morphed. Deepfake picture is garnering attention and it’s really shameful. AI is a great tool but using it to morph women is outright criminal offence. Feels disgusted#tiger3 #morphedpic #katrina @BeingSalmanKhan @yrf @KatrinaKaifFB pic.twitter.com/Jv0ABOsvTQ
— Pranit (@pranit_pranu) November 7, 2023
The fact that this is not an isolated instance in the Bollywood industry is much more worrisome. Actress Rashmika Mandanna was included in a deepfake video that surfaced earlier. It showed a woman wearing black clothing entering an elevator, but Rashmika’s face was Photoshopped onto the image.
The emergence of this doctored film aroused concerns about the veracity of material circulating on the internet and the speed at which false information is spreading. After the doctored footage started making the rounds online, veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan had already threatened to take legal action. Rashmika herself voiced her concern at the event, describing it as “very frightening.”
The Indian government has responded to these mounting worries by reminding social media platforms of existing regulations. The action is a result of concerns raised by the widely shared deepfake video regarding the improper use of AI to spread false information and the need for more vigilance in halting the dissemination of such deceptive material.
The advent of these deepfake occurrences highlights the critical need for strict procedures to counter the transmission of fabricated content and serves as a sharp warning of the possible risks linked with technical advancements. In addition to raising eyebrows within the film industry, the issues have rekindled debates about the moral application of artificial intelligence and social media companies’ obligations to stop the dissemination of manipulated and misleading content.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.