Actor Yami Gautam has asked media organisations not to use artificial intelligence to alter or enhance photographs taken during her public appearances, stressing that an individual’s image or likeness should not be manipulated without their knowledge and consent.
The actor made the request in a social media post on Sunday, asking media outlets to use her photographs in their original form. Her statement comes amid a wider debate in the entertainment industry over the increasing use of generative AI to modify photographs and videos of actors without permission.
‘A sincere request’
“A sincere request to the media,” Yami wrote as she set out her position on the use of AI-generated alterations.
“Please refrain from using AI to alter or enhance my photographs from public appearances. Kindly use images in original form,” she said.
The actor added that altering or manipulating an individual’s image or likeness using artificial intelligence should not be done without that person’s “knowledge and consent”.
She thanked media organisations in advance for respecting her request.
Consent at the centre
Yami’s statement goes beyond concerns over misleading deepfakes and also addresses the increasingly common practice of digitally enhancing ordinary photographs using AI-powered tools.
Such tools can make subtle or significant changes to a person’s face, skin, body, clothing or other aspects of an image. The actor’s request makes clear that she does not want even photographs from legitimate public appearances to be modified or enhanced through AI without her permission.
Her intervention puts consent at the centre of the discussion over how AI tools should be used when dealing with a person’s photograph or likeness.
Deepfake debate grows
The appeal comes at a time when Indian actors have increasingly raised concerns over unauthorised AI-generated content.
A manipulated video based on the song Chuttamalle from Devara: Part 1, featuring Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, recently triggered criticism after AI was used to alter Kapoor’s appearance in an explicit manner.
Jr NTR condemned the misuse of artificial intelligence, while Janhvi also spoke out against the manipulation of her image. Several members of the film industry subsequently called for stronger action against the creation and circulation of such content.
The controversy has sharpened the debate around consent, personality rights and the responsibilities of platforms and users as increasingly sophisticated AI tools make manipulated photographs and videos easier to produce.
Courts step in
The issue has also reached the courts, with actors seeking legal protection against unauthorised use of their names, images, voices and likenesses.
The Bombay High Court recently directed social media platforms to take down objectionable material involving actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, including AI-generated deepfakes and other content allegedly using aspects of her identity without authorisation.
The growing number of such disputes has highlighted how existing protections around privacy, reputation and personality rights are being tested by rapidly developing generative AI technology.
Yami’s new film
On the professional front, Yami is preparing for the release of Nayyi Navelli, in which she plays Mohini, a newly married woman entering the Awasthi family.
The story begins with Mohini adjusting to her new home before questions about her character and secrets surrounding her begin to emerge.
The film also features Addinath M Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, Mita Vasisth, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Susmita Mukherjee and Prateek Pachori in key roles. It is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16.
Yami’s appeal, meanwhile, adds another prominent voice to the debate over the boundaries of AI-generated imagery, with the actor making her preference unambiguous — photographs of her public appearances should be used in their original form.