When Mrunal Thakur publicly warned creators against making AI-generated deepfakes of female actors, it was more than a celebrity calling out online abuse. Her message resonated across the industry, prompting several accounts to delete their content and deactivate their profiles. Actress Anupama Parameswaran and others openly backed her stand, reflecting a growing sense of solidarity among women in Indian cinema.
The conversation had already gained national attention after Rashmika Mandanna became the target of a viral deepfake, sparking widespread debate on consent, privacy, and the dangers of AI-generated content. Together, these incidents signaled that actresses were no longer willing to stay silent in the face of digital exploitation.
That resistance has now reached the courtroom. Veteran actress Tabu recently approached the Delhi High Court to protect her personality rights against AI deepfakes and unauthorised digital impersonation. Her petition seeks to stop the misuse of her name, voice, and likeness without her consent, reinforcing the growing demand for stronger safeguards in the digital age.
Tabu is not alone. Shruti Haasan has also moved the Delhi High Court to protect her publicity rights from technological misuse. They join Kajol and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who had earlier secured court orders against vulgar AI chatbots and deepfake content. Together, these legal battles reflect a growing determination among actresses to defend their identity and privacy as AI continues to reshape the online world.
Taken together, these developments mark a significant shift in how Indian actresses are responding to digital abuse. Through public advocacy, legal action, and collective support, they are reclaiming control over their identity and image. Their message is simple yet powerful: consent does not end in the physical world – it extends to the digital one as well.
