On Monday, Rashmika Mandanna responded strongly to a deepfake video that went viral and included her face overlaid on another woman’s body. The lady, identified as British Indian social media figure Zara Patel, sent a message on social media claiming that she was “deeply upset by what’s happening” and that she was not involved in the controversy.
Original Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzKomeDrTgV/
Zara posted on Instagram Story, saying, “Hi all, it has come to my attention that someone created a deepfake video using my body and a popular Bollywood actress’s face. I had no involvement with the deepfake video, and I’m deeply disturbed and upset by what is happening. I worry about the future of women and girls who now have to fear even more about putting themselves on social media. Please take a step back and fact-check what you see on the internet. Not everything on the internet is real. I’m deeply upset by what is happening.”
Zara Patel is seen in the original video inside an elevator while sporting a black one-piece workout outfit. Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to alter Zara’s visage in the viral video such that it resembles Rashmika Mandanna.
