What Is the ‘Chuttamalle’ AI Video Row? Chiranjeevi Reacts to Deepfake Targeting Janhvi Kapoor

A shocking AI-generated deepfake video featuring actress Janhvi Kapoor from the popular song "Chuttamalle" of the film Devara: Part 1 has ignited a major controversy in South Cinema, prompting strong condemnation from industry stalwarts. Megastar Chiranjeevi has announced his intention to consult various Telugu film bodies to address the alarming misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create degrading content, particularly targeting women. The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with lead actors Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor themselves issuing powerful statements and pledging legal action. ‘Peddi’: Did Janhvi Kapoor Double Her Acting Fee to INR 8 Crore for Ram Charan’s Film? Here’s What We Know.

Chuttamalle AI Video Controversy and Chiranjeevi's Reaction

The 'Chuttamalle' controversy centres around an AI-generated sexually explicit video that digitally altered footage of Janhvi Kapoor from the original song. The lyrical video for "Chuttamalle", a romantic number composed by Anirudh Ravichander and sung by Shilpa Rao, was released in August 2024. The full video song was released in October 2024. This manipulated content began circulating online, sparking immediate alarm over the ethical implications and potential for misuse of AI technology.

Megastar Chiranjeevi, expressing his profound dismay, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his strong condemnation. "I am deeply disturbed by the use of AI to create degrading and morphed videos of a woman. Such acts are cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable. I strongly condemn them," Chiranjeevi wrote in his post. He emphasised the broader societal implications, stating, "This is not an issue concerning just one individual or one film. Today, it has happened to someone else. Tomorrow, it could happen to you, me or anyone we know."

Chiranjeevi further announced his commitment to addressing the issue at an industry level: "I will take this matter up with the Telugu Film Chamber, the Producers' Council and our affiliated industry bodies, and recommend the formation of a dedicated committee and support cell." He stressed that this proposed team should work closely with Cyber Crime authorities to "support those affected, coordinate efforts to remove such content and pursue legal action against those responsible." He also urged state governments and the Government of India to implement stricter regulations against AI misuse and appealed to the public not to engage with or share such harmful content.

Chiranjeevi Condemns ‘Chuttamalle’ AI Deepfake 

Jr NTR's Fiery Condemnation

Jr NTR, who stars alongside Janhvi Kapoor in Devara: Part 1, was among the first to vehemently condemn the morphed video. In a strongly worded statement posted on X on October 3, 2026, he described the act as "disgusting, sick and shameless." He questioned the moral degradation evident in the creation of such content, highlighting, "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."

The Telugu superstar issued a stern warning to the perpetrators: "To the scumbags behind this morphed 'Chuttamalle' video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it." He concluded by urging a collective stand against such misuse, calling for immediate and robust action from both state and central governments.

Janhvi Kapoor Breaks Silence on Deeply Violating Experience

Janhvi Kapoor has also spoken out, calling the circulation of the AI-altered video "deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault." In a powerful statement shared on her Instagram Stories on October 4, 2026, the actress articulated the broader implications of such technological misuse. "The criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalised content without consent is deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault," she wrote.

Kapoor underscored the widespread nature of the problem, noting, "Almost every woman in my industry has faced some version of this, and women everywhere are increasingly being subjected to it." She passionately asserted the fundamental right to bodily autonomy and consent: "Consent, choice and respect for a woman's body should be among the most basic notions of humanity." She firmly stated, "Her body. Her image. Her boundaries. Her choice," and thanked Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, and Khushbu Sundar for their public support. ‘Dragon’: Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor Join Jr NTR and Prashanth Neel’s Pan-India Actioner?.

Janhvi Kapoor's Instagram Story 

The "Chuttamalle" AI video controversy highlights an escalating threat posed by deepfake technology and underscores the urgent need for stringent regulations and collective industry action. As Chiranjeevi prepares to convene film bodies, the unified response from leading figures like Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor sends a clear message that such digital violations will not be tolerated and will be met with full legal force.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2026 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).