The Hyderabad Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar, has publicly addressed a growing digital crisis after an AI-generated image falsely showing him making an arrest went viral on social media. The photo, circulated by an X account before being deleted, was shared widely under the guise of breaking news — until Sajjanar himself stepped in. In a direct post, he clarified: “This is an AI-generated image, not a genuine photograph.” He urged the public to question what they see online, warning that increasingly realistic deepfakes can spread misinformation at lightning speed. “Just because a photograph looks convincing does not mean it is real,” he wrote, tagging both the Cyber Crime Wing and Hyderabad City Police handles. He then turned his message toward Jr NTR, writing, “I ask @tarak9999 garu take note of the misuse of my image by some of his fans.” The post came amid a broader reckoning over AI manipulation in Indian entertainment. Earlier this week, a manipulated video featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR, using footage from their song Chuttamalle in Devara. Circulated online, sparking outrage over consent and digital ethics. Kapoor responded with a detailed statement, highlighting systemic issues faced by women: “What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line, and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her.” She expanded beyond the incident to speak about the constant negotiation of safety, judgment, and the invasive gaze. Jr NTR has since announced plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for creating and distributing the deepfake. His response to the commissioner’s post remains pending. The controversy points to how easily AI can distort reality, and how quickly fan communities can amplify falsehoods. Meanwhile, in Goa, police have registered an unnatural death case following the sudden passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar. That tragedy, while unrelated, adds to the national mood of unease. But in Hyderabad, the focus stays on one question: when images lie, who’s accountable?