Actor Shriya Saran has spoken out against the misuse of artificial intelligence to manipulate images and videos of women, calling the practice annoying and unacceptable. Her comments come amid renewed discussion about non-consensual AI-generated content following reports of a digitally altered video involving actor Janhvi Kapoor.
In an interview with News18, Shriya discussed her own experience with manipulated images circulating online. She acknowledged that AI can offer useful applications but warned that the technology can also be used in harmful ways.
Her remarks have added to a wider conversation about consent, online harassment and the challenges women face when their likenesses are altered and shared without permission.
Shriya Saran Opens Up About AI-Manipulated Images
Speaking to News18, Shriya described discovering that images of her had been altered using digital tools. She said the edits could change her appearance in ways she had not authorised.
“It’s funny. Sometimes, I don’t even know if it’s me. They change the size of your bs, suddenly the cape that you were wearing is gone or your a looks bigger. You’ve to take it with a pinch of salt. Having said that, it’s annoying and it’s not right,” she said.
Although the actor spoke candidly about her reaction, her comments also highlighted the distinction between harmless digital editing and manipulations that violate a person’s consent or dignity.
Shriya acknowledged the potential benefits of artificial intelligence while warning that the technology can be misused.
“While AI has a lot to give us and a lot to help us with, there’s also a lot it can change for us. It can lead to things that can be dangerous. I think that applies to every technology. With time, we’ve to either learn to live with it or deal with it,” she added.
Her remarks reflect a growing concern that the rapid development of generative AI has made it easier to create convincing manipulated content, while detection, reporting and accountability remain challenging.
Janhvi Kapoor Video Reportedly Triggers Debate Over AI Misuse
The discussion intensified after a reportedly AI-manipulated video featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR, associated with the song Chuttamalle from their 2024 film Devara, circulated on social media.
According to the supplied report, the video altered Janhvi’s appearance in a sexually suggestive manner. The incident prompted criticism of the use of AI to objectify women and raised questions about the unauthorised manipulation of an actor’s likeness.
Janhvi reportedly condemned the content in a statement shared on Instagram, describing the misuse of AI as deeply violating. She also connected the incident to the wider difficulties women face in protecting their privacy and safety.
The controversy illustrates an important distinction: AI-generated or digitally altered content is not automatically harmless simply because it is artificial. When someone’s likeness is used to create sexualised material without consent, the resulting harm can be real, including reputational damage, distress and the loss of control over personal images.
The original post, Janhvi’s full statement and the timeline of the video’s circulation should be checked against primary sources before publication.
Celebrities Raise Concerns About Non-Consensual AI Content
The supplied report also says that Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar expressed support for Janhvi following the controversy. Their reported responses form part of a broader debate about the responsibilities of social media platforms and the protection of people whose images are misused.
For actors and other public figures, the circulation of manipulated content can create an additional burden: they may have to respond publicly to material they did not create or authorise. At the same time, the problem extends beyond celebrities, as AI tools can be used to target private individuals who may have fewer resources to challenge the abuse.
The issue therefore involves more than technological progress. It raises questions about consent, the speed at which platforms respond to reports, and the accountability of people who create or distribute abusive material.
Why Consent and Responsible AI Use Matter
Artificial intelligence has legitimate applications across creative work, accessibility, research and entertainment. However, those benefits do not remove the need for safeguards when a person’s identity or likeness is involved.
Non-consensual sexualised manipulation can affect a person’s dignity and privacy even when the material is fabricated. Sharing, reposting or searching for such content can also increase its reach and prolong the harm to the person targeted.
Users who encounter suspected abusive deepfakes can avoid resharing them, report the content through the relevant platform’s reporting tools and preserve appropriate evidence when necessary. Those affected may also consider seeking qualified legal advice or assistance from the relevant authorities, depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
Shriya Saran’s comments bring attention to the personal impact of AI misuse and the need to distinguish responsible innovation from exploitation. The central question is not simply what AI can create, but whether the technology is being used in ways that respect consent, privacy and human dignity.
