The News Freedom
New Delhi, January 20
Police on Saturday arrested a man suspected of creating a deepfake video of popular actress Rashmika Mandanna that went viral on social media, sparking concerns about online harassment and the weaponization of technology. The accused, whose identity is being withheld pending further investigation, was apprehended in south India and brought to Delhi for interrogation, a police official confirmed. He faces charges including forgery and identity theft under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act.
The deepfake video, which circulated widely in November 2023, featured Mandanna’s face superimposed on another individual’s body. While initially appearing convincing, experts and netizens soon spotted discrepancies, triggering an outcry and calls for action against the perpetrators.
The source material for the deepfake was a publicly available Instagram video posted by Zara Patel, a British-Indian influencer, on October 9. Patel’s video, showing her entering an elevator, was expertly manipulated to replace her face with Rashmika Mandanna’s. However, journalist Abhisek, who publicly flagged the deepfake on November 5, pointed out a noticeable glitch in the facial transition, exposing the fabrication.
Following the video’s emergence, Mandanna herself expressed her distress on social media, highlighting the vulnerability faced by individuals in the digital age and calling for strong action against such online violations. Her statement resonated with many, including veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who also voiced concerns about the potential misuse of deepfakes.
🚨 There is an urgent need for a legal and regulatory framework to deal with deepfake in India.
You might have seen this viral video of actress Rashmika Mandanna on Instagram. But wait, this is a deepfake video of Zara Patel.
This thread contains the actual video. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/SidP1Xa4sT
— Abhishek (@AbhishekSay) November 5, 2023
In response to the public outcry, the Delhi Police registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, including forgery and identity theft. Their investigation, aided by social media platforms and tech companies, led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspect.
The Rashmika Mandanna case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of deepfakes and the need for continued vigilance against online misinformation. It also underscores the importance of robust legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible use of this powerful technology in the digital age.