National Award-winning actor Yami Gautam has asked media organisations, photographers and the public not to use artificial intelligence tools to alter or enhance photographs of her taken at public appearances.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Yami made a direct appeal for her photographs to be used in their original form. She stressed that changing a person’s image or likeness with AI should not be done without their knowledge and consent.
Her comments come at a time when concerns surrounding AI-generated and digitally manipulated celebrity content are growing across the entertainment industry.
Yami Gautam Makes a Direct Appeal to the Media
Yami Gautam shared her request on X, asking publications and photographers to avoid using AI tools to modify photographs taken during her public appearances.
The actor wrote:
“A sincere request to the media. Please refrain from using AI to alter or enhance my photographs from public appearances. Kindly use images in their original form. Altering or manipulating an individual’s image or likeness using AI should not be done without their knowledge and consent. Thank you in advance for respecting my request!”
Her statement specifically focuses on consent and the use of AI to change photographs, rather than objecting to ordinary photographic editing in general.
The appeal also highlights a growing discussion within the entertainment industry about how celebrities’ likenesses are used in the era of generative AI.
Yami’s Statement Comes Amid Wider AI Concerns
The actor’s comments came shortly after a separate controversy involving an AI-manipulated video associated with Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor’s “Chuttamalle” from Devara: Part 1.
Jr NTR strongly condemned the alleged manipulated content and said he would pursue legal action against those responsible for creating and circulating it.
Other film personalities, including Vijay Deverakonda and Chiranjeevi, also spoke out against the misuse of AI-generated or manipulated material.
Chiranjeevi called for stronger mechanisms to support people affected by such content, including greater coordination with cybercrime authorities and measures to help remove manipulated material.
Yami Gautam did not, in her X post, specifically identify the Jr NTR–Janhvi Kapoor controversy as the reason for her request. Her statement therefore stands on its own as an appeal regarding the use of AI to modify her photographs.
AI and Celebrity Images Become a Growing Concern
The increasing availability of generative AI tools has made it easier to alter photographs and create synthetic images featuring public figures.
While AI can be used for legitimate creative and production purposes, the technology has also raised questions around consent, identity, reputation and the unauthorised use of a person’s likeness.
For actors and other public figures, the distinction between an original photograph and an AI-altered image can become particularly important when the modified version is presented without proper disclosure.
Yami’s request places the issue of consent at the centre of that discussion.
Yami Gautam to Play a Supernatural Character in Nayyi Navelli
Meanwhile, Yami Gautam is preparing for a very different role on screen with Nayyi Navelli, a fantasy family entertainer that combines humour, family drama and elements of Indian folklore.
The film introduces Yami as Mohini, a woman who enters a lively household in Meerut and initially wins over the family with her charm and culinary skills.
The story gradually moves into supernatural territory, bringing dark humour and folklore into the family setting. Yami is set to portray a daayan, marking a departure from several of her recent performances.
Nayyi Navelli Cast and Crew
Nayyi Navelli is directed by Balaji Mohan, with a screenplay credited to Himanshu Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma.
The film is being produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the Colour Yellow banner. The project also marks the production house’s collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios.
G. V. Prakash Kumar has composed the music.
With its combination of supernatural elements, family dynamics, humour and Indian folklore, the film represents another genre shift for Yami Gautam as she takes on a character unlike many of her previous roles.
For now, however, Yami’s message about AI is drawing attention beyond her upcoming film. Her appeal reinforces a growing industry conversation about who controls a public figure’s digital likeness—and the importance of obtaining consent before using AI to alter it.
