Another Deepfake Video, Yet Another Actor: What's The Solution?

Following the circulation of deepfake videos featuring Rashmika Mandanna, a similar video involving actor Alia Bhatt has surfaced on social media. This video alters Bhatt's face and replaces it with another woman's face. The video showcases a woman seated on a bed, wearing a blue floral outfit where Bhatt's face has been digitally placed. This woman, adorned with the actor's face, is seen gesturing towards the camera in the video. As of now, there has been no response from the actor regarding this issue

Earlier, a new video featuring Rashmika Mandanna had captured the attention of social media. In contrast to the earlier controversial video, this new clip doesn't contain any explicit content. Instead, it showcases Mandanna's face seamlessly integrated into another girl's face, employing the use of artificial intelligence technology known as deepfake. The previous video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna has been circulating on social media. Initially, it appears to show the actor entering an elevator. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the video is a 'deepfake,' created through AI manipulation.

 Check it out here

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Deepfake Video Of Rashmika Mandanna

Some social media users were initially deceived into thinking that the woman in the video was Rashmika Mandanna, but others quickly pointed out that the woman was actually Zara Patel, a British-Indian social media influencer. The video featuring Zara Patel wearing a sleeveless black unitard was originally shared on October 9.

However, upon closer examination, a significant contrast becomes evident when comparing the ‘deepfake’ video to the authentic one. In the original video, Patel's face is clearly visible as she enters the elevator. But within a brief moment, the video transforms, altering Patel's face to resemble that of Rashmika Mandanna.

From a deepfake POV, the viral video is perfect enough for ordinary social media users to fall for it. But if you watch the video carefully, you can see at (0:01) that when Rashmika (deepfake) was entering the lift, suddenly her face changes from the other girl to Rashmika. (3/3)

— Abhishek (@AbhishekSay) November 5, 2023

While the creator of this fake video and their intentions remain unknown, this is not an isolated occurrence, as numerous celebrities across various domains have faced similar challenges in recent years. It's also essential to emphasise that such incidents are concerning regardless of the gender or the status of the person involved, as not just celebrities, but similar AI-manipulated-edited videos of common people are also all over the internet.

Rashmika Mandanna Says 'It's Extremely Scary'

Addressing the incident, Mandanna expressed her distress on social media. Here's what she said.

I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deepfake video of me being spread online.

Something like this is honestly, extremely scary not only for me, but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused.…

— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) November 6, 2023

Vijay Deverkonda Reacts

Actor Vijay Deverakonda, who is rumoured to be in a relationship with Rashmika Mandanna, has commented on the viral video incident involving her. He expressed that what she experienced "shouldn't happen to anyone" and emphasised the need for severe punishment for such actions.

He shared a news article titled 'Government takes action against deepfakes following the viral Rashmika Mandanna video' and wrote, "Extremely important steps for the future. This shouldn't happen to anyone. Also, an efficient accessible cyber wing for quick crackdowns and punishment will make people more secure."

Government Warns Social Media Platforms

Moreover, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar commented on the deepfake AI video, emphasising the need for platforms to address and combat such harmful misinformation.

Check out his tweet here.

PM @narendramodi ji's Govt is committed to ensuring Safety and Trust of all DigitalNagriks using Internet

Under the IT rules notified in April, 2023 - it is a legal obligation for platforms to

➡️ensure no misinformation is posted by any user AND

➡️ensure that when reported by… https://t.co/IlLlKEOjtd

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) November 6, 2023

What's Is 'Deepfake' and How It Works

The use of AI technologies in creating fake content involves the manipulation of existing images or videos, replacing one person's likeness with another's through AI algorithms. The 'deepfake' tool takes advantage of advanced machine learning and AI techniques to generate visual and audio content that can be highly deceptive.

Deepfakes are often distinguishable by their unnatural facial expressions or movements, such as excessive or insufficient blinking, as well as rigid or jerky motions. The eyes are a critical factor in determining the authenticity of a video, as deepfakes typically feature blurry or unfocused eyes that don't match the person's head movements.

Concerns About Misuse of AI

These incidents underscore the increasing misuse of fake technology for deceptive and manipulative purposes. This misuse triggers concerns about the ethical application of AI and its capacity to damage the reputation and privacy of both ordinary people and public figures. In fact, the video featuring Mandanna was reshared by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who tweeted that deepfakes present a compelling argument for legal action.

Celebs Call For Action

Apart from Amitabh Bachchan, numerous friends and colleagues of Rashmika Mandanna, including Mrunal Thakur, Naga Chaitanya, and Chinmayi Sripaada, have also expressed their support. They've joined the conversation to address the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).

Mrunal Thakur posted a powerful message on her Instagram Stories regarding the incident. First she thanked Mandanna for speaking up, and added, “Every day there are morphed, edited videos of female actors floating around on the internet zooming into inappropriate body parts. Where are we heading as a community, and as a society? We may be actresses in the "limelight" but at the end of the day each one of us are human. Why aren't we talking about it? Don't remain silent, now is not the time (sic).”

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada expressed concern about the emergence of deepfake videos, particularly those targeting women like Mandanna. She highlighted the potential for deepfakes to be used as a weapon for harassment and blackmail, especially in a country where women's bodies are already exploited. She also emphasised the need for a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of deepfakes and encourage reporting rather than vigilante actions.

Several months ago, a video of one of our most favourite actors in an AI avatar performed to Kaavaalaa from Jailer released - only it wasn’t her. It was a Deep Fake.
Nobody knows for sure whether Ms Simran had consented in advance to her likeness to be used in the Deep Fake AI…

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 6, 2023

The video also gained attention from the general public, with many expressing their apprehension. In our digital era, we've already experienced the spread of false information, and now the emergence of highly edited AI videos is an even more alarming development. 

Views expressed by the author are their own

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