Bollywood actor Aamir Khan on 7 October 2026 weighed in on the growing debate around artificial intelligence in Indian cinema, as the industry continues to grapple with the fallout from a deepfake video targeting actress Janhvi Kapoor. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Khan offered a measured take — one that frames AI as a tool defined by the intent and skill of its user.

What Aamir Khan Said

When asked how Hindi cinema has responded to the expanding use of AI, Khan argued that the technology itself carries no moral weight. “When a new technology comes, it is easily absorbed in films. Those who use it well get good results. Those who don’t use it well, don’t get positive reactions. So, it really depends on how you use it. Technology is a technology. There is no life in it,” the actor said.

Khan, known for his exacting standards on productions such as Lagaan and PK, also pointed to the creative freedom that modern tools now offer filmmakers. “Even if it is VFX, even if it is AI, it is almost the same. As far as a filmmaker, there was a time when you could not do what you had in your mind because the facilities and technology were not so advanced. Today, you can show whatever you can imagine. So, it is a tool which you should know how to use well,” he added.

The Deepfake Controversy That Prompted the Debate

Khan’s remarks came against the backdrop of a morphed video of Janhvi Kapoor, drawn from the Devara song ‘Chuttamalle’, which surfaced on social media and triggered widespread condemnation. The clip reignited concerns about the misuse of AI-generated content to target women in the film industry — a pattern that has been observed with increasing frequency across Indian and global entertainment.

Jr NTR Issues Strong Warning

Actor Jr NTR, who features in Devara alongside Kapoor, issued a sharp public statement denouncing the video. He described those responsible as “Disgusting, sick and shameless” and invoked cultural values in his condemnation. “In a land that worships women as mothers and goddesses, where ‘Matrudevo Bhava’ is not just a phrase but a part of our culture, some people have fallen so low that they are using AI to disrespect a woman in the most degrading way possible. Using AI to create something this vile is shameful beyond words. To the scumbags behind this morphed Chuttamalle video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it,” the RRR actor stated.

A Wider Industry Reckoning

The incident is the latest in a growing series of deepfake controversies involving Indian celebrities — a trend that has prompted calls for stronger legislation around AI-generated content. Critics argue that existing legal frameworks are ill-equipped to address the speed at which morphed media spreads across platforms. Notably, this comes at a moment when the Indian film industry is simultaneously embracing AI for production purposes while confronting its most dangerous misapplications. How Bollywood and the broader entertainment ecosystem reconcile that tension is a question regulators and studios alike will need to answer in the months ahead.