She frequently hits back at critics who target her fashion choices, asserting that her self-expression and values are independent of the "glamorous" image projected on screen. The Growing Threat of Deepfakes in India
: Active reporting of deepfakes, morphed images, and defamatory articles helps clean up digital spaces.
The incident not only raised concerns about the spread of misinformation but also highlighted the vulnerability of public figures to online harassment and cyberbullying. Anasuya's team approached the police and filed a complaint, which led to an investigation into the matter.
The search volume surrounding fake images of celebrities is driven by curiosity, sensationalism, and sometimes a malicious intent to degrade. In the case of Anasuya Bharadwaj, these links often point to websites hosting edited pictures or "deepfakes"—videos or images manipulated using Artificial Intelligence to make a person appear to do or say something they did not.
: Despite her film success in projects like Pushpa and Rangasthalam , she remains committed to her family, stating she refuses to take on projects that keep her away from her husband and two sons for extended periods.
During a pre-release event for a film, Telugu actor Shivaji made controversial remarks urging actresses to wear traditional saris and avoid "displaying physical assets." In response, during a media interaction on , Anasuya firmly stated that women's clothing is a matter of personal choice.
Deepfakes use deep learning (AI) to superimpose a person's likeness onto another body. In this case, the faces of the anchor were morphed onto explicit bodies. She argued that this not only damaged her honor but also jeopardized her livelihood and safety.
The controversy began when a link to fake images of ETV anchor Anasuya started circulating on social media platforms. The images, which were doctored and manipulated, showed Anasuya in compromising positions and were allegedly photoshopped to make it seem like she was involved in a scandal. The images quickly went viral, and many people started sharing them without verifying their authenticity.
The controversy surrounding ETV anchor Anasuya's fake images serves as a reminder of the dangers of spreading misinformation and the importance of verifying information before sharing it. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and education about the consequences of online harassment and cyberbullying.
Anasuya herself has frequently spoken out against online harassment and the misuse of her likeness, advocating for a safer and more respectful digital environment for women in the entertainment industry [3].
According to the police complaint filed by Anasuya on , the initial trolling soon turned into a coordinated online attack . The nature of the abuse escalated rapidly:
The trolling quickly escalated from offensive comments to a full-blown cyber-crime. According to the police complaint filed by Anasuya, her photographs and videos were illicitly downloaded, edited using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and converted into sexually explicit material. This AI-generated content, commonly referred to as deepfakes, was then deliberately circulated across major social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) without her consent.