The recent AI deepfake incident targeting actress Janhvi Kapoor from Jr NTR’s ‘Devera’ song ‘Chuttamalle’, has raised serious concerns across the Telugu film industry. After multiple stars condemned the misuse of AI, MAA president Vishnu Manchu has now called for a permanent system to tackle deepfakes, impersonation and targeted online abuse.
Vishnu Manchu speaks out against AI deepfakes
According to a report by Cinema Express, Vishnu Manchu referred to actor Ram Pothineni’s comments about online anonymity and said his suggestion of Aadhaar-linked accountability for online identities deserves serious discussion.“The disturbing AI deepfake incident that has rightly angered our industry should not be looked at as an isolated incident. It is a warning,” he wrote. He added, “They’re faceless, so they’re fearless.”Vishnu Manchu also shared that freedom of expression should be protected, but anonymity should not be used to target or harm people.“Freedom of expression must always be protected. But anonymity cannot become a weapon to abuse, defame, sexually violate or deliberately destroy someone,” he said.
Vishnu Manchu raises concern over targeted negativity
Vishnu Manchu also spoke about what he described as organised and targeted negativity against films, actors and filmmakers. He said criticism and trolling are part of cinema, but deliberate campaigns designed to damage a film are different.“A film should succeed or fail because audiences watch it and decide. Criticism, reviews, trolling and disagreement are part of cinema today. But a coordinated campaign to damage a film before audiences have even seen it is not criticism. It is sabotage,” he wrote.Referring to Sundeep Kishan and ‘The Paradise’, Vishnu Manchu said the actor had spoken about targeted, paid negativity against him and his film before its release. He also pointed out that ‘The Paradise’ approached a court seeking protection against defamatory and damaging content.Vishnu said MAA is taking steps to identify accounts and networks repeatedly involved in targeted abuse and malicious campaigns, including accounts that misuse actors’ photographs and identities.“MAA is compiling information on accounts and networks repeatedly involved in targeted abuse and malicious campaigns, including accounts misusing actors’ photographs and identities to mislead people. This is not about stopping criticism. It is about accountability,” he said.He also called for a meeting involving the Telugu Film Chamber, Producers Council, MAA and other film bodies to create a permanent industry-wide mechanism. “Not another meeting that ends with a photograph. Not another phone call. A system,” he said.He urged audiences to watch films and form their own opinions. “Watch the film. Love it. Hate it. Criticise it brutally if you genuinely feel that way. But first, let the film release.”Vishnu concluded, “We may compete every Friday. But we cannot spend the rest of the week trying to destroy one another. Let audiences decide the fate of our films. Let cinema win.”On the work front, Vishnu Manchu was last seen in the mythological film ‘Kannappa’ released in June 2025.