Chuttamalle AI Video Controversy Explained: The AI-Morphed Song That Sparked Outrage

Key takeaways:

• "Chuttamalle" is the romantic song from Devara: Part 1 (2024), starring Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, with music by Anirudh Ravichander and vocals by Shilpa Rao.
• In early October 2026, an AI-generated, morphed version of the song video — altered to show sexually explicit imagery of Janhvi Kapoor — went viral on social media.
• Jr NTR called it "disgusting, sick and shameless" and threatened legal action against creators and sharers; Vijay Deverakonda called it "the digital equivalent of sexual assault"; Chiranjeevi also condemned it.
• The episode has reignited debate in India about the lack of dedicated deepfake legislation.

The song: what "Chuttamalle" actually is

"Chuttamalle" is a romantic track from Devara: Part 1, the 2024 Telugu action drama directed by Koratala Siva and starring Jr NTR alongside Janhvi Kapoor. The film released in theatres in September 2024. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, and Shilpa Rao lent her vocals to the song, which became popular for its melody and the chemistry between the lead actors.

What the AI version was

In early October 2026, a doctored version of the Chuttamalle song video began circulating online. According to reporting by Cinema Express, NDTV, The Economic Times and the Deccan Chronicle, the clip used artificial intelligence to manipulate footage of Janhvi Kapoor from the original song, altering it to depict sexually explicit imagery that was never part of the original video.

This was not a fan-made "AI cover" in the musical sense — it was a morphed deepfake video, created and spread without the consent of the people in it.

How the stars responded

Jr NTR was the first to speak out, posting on X on October 3, 2026. He described the video as "disgusting, sick and shameless," writing that in a culture where women are worshipped as mothers and goddesses, using AI to degrade a woman was "shameful beyond words." He warned the creators directly — "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" — and urged the public not to watch, share or engage with such content: "Today it is someone else. Tomorrow, it could be your mother, sister, wife or daughter." He also called on state governments and the Government of India to bring in strict regulations against AI misuse.

Vijay Deverakonda echoed the condemnation, writing: "We have stooped to the levels of absolute lowlife… This is the digital equivalent of sexual assault. The law must treat such acts with utmost seriousness."

Chiranjeevi also condemned the video, calling the use of AI to create degrading morphed videos "cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable." He said he would take up the matter with the Telugu Film Chamber and Producers’ Council, proposed a dedicated committee and support cell for victims of AI-generated abuse, and called for coordination with cybercrime authorities to remove such content and prosecute those responsible.

Janhvi Kapoor herself posted on X calling the circulation of AI-generated fake videos "disturbing," urging people not to create, share or promote such content, and warning of legal action.

The bigger picture: AI deepfakes and the law

The Chuttamalle episode is part of a wider pattern of AI-generated non-consensual imagery targeting public figures — overwhelmingly women. As reported, India does not yet have dedicated deepfake legislation; existing provisions under the Information Technology Act covering obscenity and defamation are widely considered inadequate for the speed and scale at which AI-generated content spreads. Jr NTR’s call for strict AI-specific regulation reflects a growing consensus among public figures that the current legal framework is not enough.

What you should do

The actors’ message was consistent: do not watch, share, or engage with morphed AI content. Creating it, sharing it, or amplifying it can carry legal consequences — and every share further harms the person targeted. If you encounter such content, report it to the platform and, in India, to cybercrime authorities.

Sources: Cinema Express (Oct 3, 2026), NDTV (Oct 2026), The Economic Times (Oct 4, 2026), Deccan Chronicle (Oct 2026), NationPress. All quotes attributed as reported. No link to the explicit video is included here, deliberately.

Editorial note: This article does not reproduce or link to the morphed video. It exists to explain a widely reported news event involving AI misuse.