Deep Moral Decline: Rashmika Mandanna Denounces Viral 'Leaked' Bikini Cocktail 2 Photo

Actress Rashmika Mandanna has publicly addressed a recent viral image claiming to be a leaked bikini photo from the set of her upcoming movie, Cocktail 2, strongly suggesting the photo is a fake generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In a post on X, the multilingual star known for films in languages including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, challenged the authenticity of the photo, stating, "When truth can be manufactured, discernment becomes our greatest defence."

The Problem of AI Misuse
Mandanna acknowledged AI's potential for progress but condemned its malicious application, specifically its use to create vulgar and misleading content targeting women. "AI is a force for progress, but its misuse to create vulgarity and target women signals a deep moral decline in certain people," she wrote.

She cautioned the public about the rapidly changing digital landscape, adding, "Remember, the internet is no longer a mirror of truth. It is a canvas where anything can be fabricated."

Call for Responsibility and Action

The actress urged people to rise above the misuse of technology and instead use AI to build a "more dignified and progressive society." She implored users to choose responsibility over recklessness.

Mandanna also called for strict action against those who create and spread such content. She tagged the Official handle of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre and stated, "If people cannot act like humans, then strict & unforgiving punishment must be served to them."

The denouncement comes days after images claiming to show both Rashmika Mandanna and actress Kriti Sanon in two-piece bikinis went viral on social media. Rashmika was reportedly standing beside Sanon in the purported viral photo.

This is not the first time Mandanna has been a target of such technology. In 2023, a deepfake video of her went viral, which she called "extremely scary." Her face had been digitally morphed onto an Instagram video originally posted by British-Indian woman Zara Patel.

Former Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneur had previously labelled such deepfake videos as a more "damaging form of misinformation."