“Smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching perpetrator": RGV questions celebs’ reactions to AI-morphed ‘Chuttamalle’ video
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma criticizes celebrities for publicizing Janhvi Kapoor's AI-morphed video instead of focusing on catching the perpetrator.
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has launched a scathing critique at the film industry's response to the recent controversy involving an AI-morphed video of actor Janhvi Kapoor.
RGV Slams Celebs Over Janhvi Kapoor AI Video Reaction
The controversy erupted following the circulation of an objectionable, AI-generated video featuring Janhvi Kapoor, derived from the popular song ‘Chuttamalle’ from her Telugu film Devara: Part 1. While several high-profile stars rushed to condemn the act, Varma argues that their public outcry may have inadvertently done more harm than good.
Focus on Criminal, Not Content
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ram Gopal Varma suggested that the celebrity response served as a massive publicity tool for the offensive content. He argued that by reacting publicly, stars essentially helped the video reach a much wider audience than it would have otherwise.
"The only thing all the celebrities succeeded in, is to publicise and thereby make crores and crores of people see the objectionable link," Varma posted. He further emphasized that the strategic approach should have been different, stating, "The smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator and publicise that."
Varma expressed concern that instead of targeting the criminal, the industry's reaction brought undue attention to the victim's identity and the offensive material itself, which he noted is a criminal matter.
Celebrity Condemnations
The incident saw intense reactions from major stars involved in the film. Jr NTR, who stars alongside Janhvi in Devara: Part 1, expressed his outrage, describing the use of AI to create such content as "disgusting, sick and shameless."
In a poignant note, Jr NTR highlighted the cultural contradiction of the act, writing:
"In a land that worships women as mothers and goddesses, where 'Matrudevo Bhava' is not just a phrase but a part of our culture, some people have fallen so low that they are using AI to disrespect a woman in the most degrading way possible. Using AI to create something this vile is shameful beyond words."
The actor also issued a stern warning that legal consequences would be pursued against those responsible for the deepfake creation.
Background on the Controversy
The song ‘Chuttamalle’, which became a massive hit following the release of Devara: Part 1 in September 2024, was composed by Anirudh Ravichander and sung by Shilpa Rao. The film features Janhvi Kapoor in her Telugu debut alongside Jr NTR. The sudden emergence of the morphed video has sparked a wider debate regarding the misuse of Artificial Intelligence and the ethics of digital privacy in the age of deepfakes.