Mrunal Thakur warns against AI deepfakes, threatens legal action over misuse of identity

Actor Mrunal Thakur has spoken out against the growing spread of AI-generated deepfakes, warning people against creating or sharing manipulated content using her image, voice or identity without permission.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Thakur described the practice as "illegal and unacceptable" and said she would pursue legal remedies if such content continued to circulate online. The actor's remarks come amid a rise in concerns around AI-generated videos, images and audio clips that imitate public figures without their consent.

"Creating or sharing deepfake content using my likeness is illegal and unacceptable. Consider this your formal notice to stop immediately," Thakur wrote. She added that any further misuse of her identity would result in legal action.

The actor said her name, face, voice and identity cannot be used without authorisation and warned that those responsible for creating or distributing such content would be held accountable under applicable laws.

Deepfakes have emerged as a growing concern for the entertainment industry as advances in artificial intelligence make it easier to create realistic but fabricated content. Several celebrities in India have reported incidents involving manipulated videos, cloned voices and unauthorised use of their likeness on social media platforms.

Thakur joins a growing list of actors who have raised concerns AI-driven identity misuse. According to multiple reports, celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta , Kartik Aaryan and Suniel Shetty have approached courts or taken legal steps to protect their image and personality rights.

The issue gained wider public attention after a manipulated video involving actor Rashmika Mandanna went viral, triggering a national conversation around deepfakes, online safety and AI regulation. Since then, industry bodies, legal experts and public figures have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards against the misuse of artificial intelligence.

The latest warning from Thakur comes as courts and policymakers continue to examine how existing laws can be applied to cases involving AI-generated impersonation and digital identity theft. With deepfake technology becoming more sophisticated, public figures are increasingly taking preventive legal measures to protect their identities online.