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    🇮🇳India·Startups·5 Oct 2026·via The Hans India

    Vishnu Manchu seeks action against deepfakes

    Actor and Movie Artistes Association (MAA) President Vishnu Manchu has called for accountability for online identities, citing a recent AI deepfake controversy involving a manipulated version of the “Chuttamalle” song. Manchu emphasized that such incidents highlight the growing dangers of unchecked digital abuse and online anonymity, advocating for serious consideration of Aadhaar-linked online identity verification.

    Nexa's Summary

    Vishnu Manchu's comments underscore a growing concern within the entertainment industry regarding the misuse of AI and the challenges of online anonymity. His call for Aadhaar-linked accountability for online identities suggests a potential regulatory direction that could significantly impact how digital platforms operate and how users interact online in India.

    The distinction Manchu draws between genuine criticism and 'organised negativity' targeting films highlights a practical problem for creators: how to differentiate between legitimate audience feedback and coordinated campaigns designed to damage a film's reputation before release. This suggests a need for mechanisms that can discern the intent behind online discourse.

    Manchu's remarks also reflect a broader tension between freedom of expression and the potential for abuse, defamation, and targeted harassment under the cloak of anonymity. His argument implies that while free speech is vital, the current framework of online anonymity can be exploited, necessitating a re-evaluation of the balance between these principles.

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