Janhvi Kapoor Calls AI-Morphed ‘Chuttamalle’ Video ‘Deeply Violating’

Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out against an AI-manipulated version of “Chuttamalle,” her popular song with Jr NTR from the 2024 film “Devara: Part 1,” calling the creation and spread of such content “deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault,” Hindustan Times and The Hindu reported. The actor shared her statement on her Instagram Stories.

The fabricated clip digitally altered Kapoor’s appearance from the song to depict her in a sexually explicit manner, both outlets said. It circulated widely on social media before it was taken down from the platforms.

“The criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalised content without consent is deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault,” Kapoor wrote, according to Hindustan Times. “Almost every woman in my industry has faced some version of this, and women everywhere are increasingly being subjected to it.”

She argued that consent, choice and respect for a woman’s body “should be among the most basic notions of humanity,” adding: “What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her. This is basic.” Kapoor said the issue went beyond the video itself to “the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation.”

The actor also thanked her “Devara” co-star for speaking up first. “I am deeply touched by NTR sir for taking such a strong stand and condemning this violation,” she wrote. “When someone whom millions look up to speaks up about something that may not directly concern him, it makes a difference to every woman who has experienced some degree of this behaviour.” She extended her thanks to Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar, and closed her note with: “Her body. Her image. Her boundaries. Her choice.”

Jr NTR had condemned the clip in a post on X, calling it “vile” and “shameful beyond words,” The Hindu reported. “I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it,” he wrote, urging the state governments and the Government of India to bring in strict regulations against the misuse of AI. He also asked people not to watch, share or engage with the content.

Others in the film industry joined in. According to The Hindu, Chiranjeevi said he would take the matter up with the Telugu Film Chamber, the Producers’ Council and affiliated industry bodies, and recommend a dedicated committee and support cell working with cyber crime authorities. Vijay Deverakonda called the video “the digital equivalent of sexual assault,” and Khushbu Sundar wrote, “A woman’s body is not content. Her dignity is not entertainment.” The Hindu noted that actors including Rashmika Mandanna, Mrunal Thakur and Shalini Pandey have previously raised concerns about morphed videos of themselves. For more film industry news, visit our Bollywood page.

Verification: Kapoor’s statement, the nature and removal of the altered clip, and the support from Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar are reported by both Hindustan Times (Santanu Das, Oct. 4) and The Hindu (Oct. 5). Kapoor’s quotes follow the English text published by Hindustan Times; the industry reactions from Chiranjeevi, Deverakonda and Sundar are quoted from The Hindu.