A 24-year-old digital marketer, Eemani Naveen, has been arrested for creating and circulating a deepfake video of actress Rashmika Mandanna. Naveen, a self-proclaimed fan of Mandanna, confessed to creating the video to gain followers on Instagram. The video, which seamlessly replaced British-Indian influencer Zara Patel’s face with Mandanna’s, went viral instantly, skyrocketing Naveen’s fan page numbers before it landed him in hot water.
Naveen, realizing the potential legal trouble, scrambled to delete the video and revamp his online identity, but it was too late. Delhi Police, after sifting through a whopping 500 social media accounts, pinned the act on him.
This case shines a spotlight on the dark side of deepfakes, highlighting the potential for online abuse and misinformation. It also raises questions about fan behavior and the lengths some will go to for internet clout. Naveen’s actions have triggered nationwide discussions about regulating this evolving technology and protecting public figures from the perils of digital manipulation. So, the next time you see a picture-perfect online moment, remember, sometimes, things aren’t quite what they seem on the screen.
