Rashmika Mandanna deepfake video — Nov 2026

An AI-manipulated video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna circulated widely on social media, prompting a police investigation and the arrest of the alleged creator in January 2024. The incident highlighted the risks associated with using artificial intelligence to manipulate the identities of public figures without consent.

What happened

The fabricated video originated from an existing elevator recording featuring British-Indian influencer Zara Patel. An individual used AI-powered face-swapping technology to replace Patel’s face with Mandanna’s, creating the false impression that the actress was the woman in the footage. The manipulation retained the movements of the original recording while changing the identity of the person shown. Because the video appeared realistic, it spread quickly across social media platforms, potentially misleading viewers who were unfamiliar with the original footage.

Following the circulation of the video, the Delhi Police registered a case and began an investigation. Investigators utilized digital evidence and social media activity to trace the individual responsible for the clip. This process led to the identification and arrest of the principal accused in January 2024. The case serves as an example of how technological tools can be misused to create false representations of individuals, raising significant concerns regarding privacy, reputation, and the difficulty of distinguishing genuine footage from digitally altered content.