Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda on 3 October 2026 threw his full weight behind Jr NTR's call for strict government regulations against the misuse of artificial intelligence, days after a morphed version of the song 'Chuttamalle' from Jr NTR's film 'Devara' began circulating on social media. Deverakonda characterised those responsible as having committed what he described as the digital equivalent of sexual assault.

What Deverakonda Said

Quoting Jr NTR's post on X, Deverakonda wrote: 'We have stooped to the levels of absolute lowlife. Whoever is responsible for this should not be spared. They must face the harshest possible legal consequences and be made an example of. We must not let this go.'

He pressed further on the social dimensions of the issue, adding: 'When did we become so insensitive to each other. What kind of parenting is going on? What kind of society are we living in? Where we find joy in degrading each other? At a time when the world is debating and fearing how AI disrupt livelihoods and take away jobs, these idiots are using that very technology to do utter nonsense.'

Describing the act as 'the digital equivalent of sexual assault,' Deverakonda said the law must treat such acts with utmost seriousness and extended his solidarity to Jr NTR's team: 'And to the team standing up against this, you have my full support.'

Jr NTR's Earlier Demand for Legal Action

The solidarity post followed a forceful statement by Jr NTR earlier in the day, in which the actor vowed to pursue every available legal remedy against both the creators and distributors of the morphed clip. In his X post, he wrote: 'Disgusting, Sick and Shameless. 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.'

Addressing the perpetrators directly, Jr NTR warned: '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.' He also urged the public not to watch, share, or engage with the content, noting: 'Today it is someone else. Tomorrow, it could be your mother, sister, wife or daughter.'

He concluded with a direct appeal: 'This is a serious issue, and I urge all the state governments and the Government of India to act strongly and bring in strict regulations against the misuse of AI.'

Janhvi Kapoor Also Speaks Out

Actress Janhvi Kapoor also weighed in separately on the same day via her X account, writing: 'It's disturbing to see AI-generated fake videos being circulated. Please don't create, share or promote such content. This is a clear misuse of AI. Legal action will definitely be taken against those involved.'

Why This Matters: The Broader AI Regulation Debate

The episode has reignited calls for a dedicated legal framework around AI-generated synthetic media in India. Notably, India currently lacks a standalone deepfake-specific law, with existing recourse relying on provisions in the Information Technology Act and general criminal statutes. This is not the first time Indian celebrities have been targeted — a wave of AI-generated deepfakes involving film stars drew public outrage in late 2023, prompting the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to issue advisory notices, though binding legislation has yet to follow. The renewed industry chorus — now amplified by marquee names like Jr NTR, Deverakonda, and Kapoor — adds pressure on Parliament to act during the next legislative session.

What Happens Next

Jr NTR's legal team is reportedly evaluating action under existing IT and criminal law provisions. Whether the incident catalyses specific AI regulation amendments in India remains to be seen, but the combined reach of the stars involved — each commanding tens of millions of followers — ensures the demand for legislative reform will remain in the public eye.