Mrunal Thakur warns of legal action over AI deepfakes

Indian actress Mrunal Thakur has spoken out strongly against the growing misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that anyone creating or sharing deepfake content using her likeness without permission could face legal consequences.

The actress used her Instagram Stories on Monday to address the issue directly, expressing concern over the increasing circulation of AI-generated images and videos that falsely portray public figures. She made it clear that the unauthorized use of her identity is both unacceptable and unlawful.

“Creating or sharing deepfake content using my likeness is illegal and unacceptable,” Thakur wrote in her statement.

She went on to issue a firm warning to those involved in producing or distributing manipulated content.

“Consider this your formal notice to stop immediately. Any further misuse of my identity will result in legal action,” she added.

Her statement reflects growing concern within the entertainment industry over the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly technology capable of generating highly realistic fake images, videos and audio. Deepfake content has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, making it more difficult for audiences to distinguish between authentic and fabricated material.

Thakur is the latest Indian celebrity to publicly challenge the unauthorized use of AI-generated content involving their image. A number of prominent actors have already taken legal steps or sought court protection to safeguard their identities, photographs, voices and personality rights against misuse through artificial intelligence.

Among those who have raised concerns are Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty and Kartik Aaryan. Their actions highlight a wider effort within India’s film industry to protect celebrities from identity theft and misleading digital content created through AI tools.

The debate over deepfake technology intensified after Rashmika Mandanna became the target of a manipulated video that spread rapidly across social media platforms. The actress described the incident as “extremely scary” and stressed the need for stronger safeguards against the misuse of emerging technology.

Her comments sparked widespread public discussion about the ethical and legal challenges posed by AI-generated media. Since then, industry figures, legal experts and policymakers have increasingly called for stricter regulations to prevent the unauthorized creation and circulation of deepfake content.

Artificial intelligence has brought significant advancements across multiple industries, including entertainment, education and healthcare. However, its rapid development has also raised serious concerns about privacy, misinformation and identity protection. Celebrities, public figures and ordinary individuals alike have become vulnerable to having their images or voices manipulated without consent.

As awareness of these risks continues to grow, more public figures are taking proactive measures to protect their digital identities and encourage stronger legal enforcement against offenders.

On the professional front, Thakur is preparing for one of her biggest projects to date. She is set to appear in the upcoming action drama Raaka, directed by Atlee Kumar. The film also stars Deepika Padukone, Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna. While the movie is expected to arrive in theatres in December 2027, the filmmakers have not yet officially confirmed its release date.