Filmmaker Ravi Shankar who is distributing the Telugu version of the sleeper hit ‘Hanuman Ansh’ recently spoke about the growing misuse of social media and artificial intelligence. His words came after an AI-generated morphed video featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR from their song ‘Chuttamalle’ surfaced online. He said films like ‘Hanuman Ansh’ are much-needed at a time when realistic AI-generated deepfakes are becoming a concern.

Producer talks about AI deepfakes

Speaking to the press in Hyderabad, Ravi Shankar addressed the growing toxicity on social media and the misuse of AI technology according to a Hindustan Times report.“It has become really easy to sling mud at each other on social media. On top of that, they are now misusing AI, and no one knows what’s real or fake. The youth have become polluted, be it online or otherwise,” he said.He believes that films with spiritual themes can have a positive impact on society.“It is at a time like this that we need films with divine power that instill a fear of God. It is only beneficial to society,” he added.

Celebrities condemn AI misuse

Janhvi Kapoor’s co-star Jr NTR was among the first to condemn the deepfake. He called those responsible “Disgusting, Sick and Shameless” and said he would take legal action. He also urged the state and central governments to introduce strict regulations for AI use.Janhvi Kapoor called the incident a serious violation and criminal misuse of technology. “Using technology criminally to objectify women and circulate fabricated content without their consent is a serious violation. It is almost equivalent to sexual assault. Almost every woman in my industry has faced this in some form. Now women everywhere are becoming victims of it,” she wrote.Khushbu Sundar, Vijay Deverakonda, Ram Pothineni, Chiranjeevi and several other celebrities also condemned the creation and circulation of the objectionable deepfake.On the other hand, the Telugu version of ‘Hanuman Ansh’ is set to release on October 9.