​Ranveer Singh to Rashmika Mandanna: Celebs who took legal action against AI-generated deepfake videos​

​The rise of deepfake videos has become a concerning trend, particularly for celebrities. With their reputation and popularity on the line, several stars are going the legal route to make sure their image, likeness, voice and name are protected. From Bollywood to Hollywood, several actors and musicians are facing challenges in combating these AI-generated fabrications, however, only a few have taken decisive legal action against these miscreants. Take a look...

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Ranveer Singh was in the news after a deepfake video surfaced, seemingly portraying him expressing his political views amidst the Lok Sabha elections. On Monday, the actor's spokesperson confirmed that Singh lodged a complaint with the Mumbai Police's Cyber Crime Cell, against the malicious use of AI to manipulate his image and voice. An FIR has been lodged against the handle promoting the AI-generated deepfake video, the statement confirmed.

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​Aamir Khan also found himself entangled in a deepfake controversy when a fabricated video purported to show him endorsing a political party. Khan's spokesperson promptly clarified that the actor has never endorsed any political entity throughout his career. Taking a stand against misinformation, Khan's office filed an FIR against the unidentified people behind the deepfake video.The FIR was registered by police on Wednesday, under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, including 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Information Technology Act.

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​When a morphed video of Rashmika Mandanna circulated online, the actor was quick to refute its authenticity, declaring it as a 'deepfake' clip. With the support of fellow celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Mandanna called for stringent measures to address the surge of deepfake content in India. An FIR was later registered against unidentified individuals responsible for circulating the misleading video, leading to the police to nab four men and charge them for forgery and reputation-harming, as well as sections of the Information Technology Act.

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​Anil Kapoor secured a significant legal triumph in a New Delhi court over unauthorized AI use of his likeness. Kapoor's interim order against 16 defendants prohibited the exploitation of his name, image, or likeness for commercial gain without his consent. Pleased with the outcome of the case, Anil told Variety, "I think [the decision] is very progressive and great not only for me but for other actors also … Because of the way AI technology is evolving every day."

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​Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson took legal action against an AI app for unauthorized use of her likeness in an advertisement. Alleging misuse of her name and image without consent, Johansson sought legal channels, highlighting the necessity for stringent regulations in the realm of AI-generated content. The actress was also one of the many celebrity victims whose image was used in AI-generated pornographic content that went viral online.

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