Consider this your formal notice: Mrunal Thakur warns AI deepfake creators

Actor Mrunal Thakur has warned people against creating or sharing deepfake content using her likeness. Her statement adds to growing legal action by Indian actors over AI-led identity misuse.

In Short

• The actor issued a formal Instagram notice demanding immediate removal of fakes
• She said unauthorised use of another person's identity must invite action
• Several film stars have recently approached courts over AI misuse concerns

Actor Mrunal Thakur has become the latest Indian celebrity to take a stand against AI-generated deepfakes, issuing a stern legal warning to anyone creating or sharing manipulated content using her likeness. In a strongly worded statement, she warned that any further misuse of her identity would invite legal action.

Her statement comes at a time when more actors are approaching courts over the unauthorised use of their identities, images and voices. The debate around AI misuse in India has also intensified, with several public figures calling for stricter action against deepfake content.

On Tuesday, Mrunal issued a stern warning against deepfake content. Calling the growing misuse of AI-generated material illegal and unacceptable, she said people must be held accountable for using someone else's identity without permission. She wrote, “Creating or sharing deepfake content using my likeness is illegal and unacceptable. Consider this your formal notice to stop immediately. Any further misuse of my identity will result in legal action.”

Here's her post:

Mrunal is among several Indian celebrities who have spoken about deepfakes. In recent times, actors including Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta, Kartik Aaryan and Suniel Shetty have approached the courts to protect their identity, image and personality rights from AI-generated misuse and the unauthorised use of their images and voices. In Preity Zinta's case, she approached the Bombay High Court over AI deepfakes, and the court asked Google and Meta to frame a takedown plan.

One of the major moments in India's deepfake debate came after Rashmika Mandanna reacted to a manipulated video that went viral online. She described the experience as extremely scary and urged people and the authorities to take the issue seriously, while also calling for urgent action from society.

On the work front, Mrunal Thakur has several projects lined up after a year in which films such as Dacoit and Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai received mixed reactions from audiences. She is currently associated with the action drama Raaka, directed by Atlee, which also features Allu Arjun, Deepika Padukone and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is targeting a December 2027 release, though the makers are yet to confirm it.

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