SP Charan, son of the legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, has taken legal action against the team behind the film Keedaa Cola. Charan alleges that the makers of Keedaa Cola used Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake technology to recreate his late father’s voice without the family’s consent. This move has left Charan feeling disheartened and deeply upset, prompting him to issue a legal notice demanding an apology, damages, and a royalty share.
The controversy arose after a video interview surfaced in which Keedaa Cola’s music composer, Vivek Sagar, admitted to using AI and Deepfake technology to recreate SPB’s voice. Charan expressed disappointment with the team’s response to his legal notice, criticizing their dismissal of the issue and suggesting a media trial instead of a legal resolution. Charan emphasized his commitment to resolving the matter through legal channels rather than resorting to sensationalism.
Released on November 3, 2023, Keedaa Cola featured renowned comedian Brahmanandam alongside young actors Chaitanya Rao and Rag Mayur in lead roles. Directed by Tharun Bhascker and produced under the VG Sainma banner, the film was presented by actor Rana Daggubati. However, the film’s release has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the unauthorized use of SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice, highlighting the ethical and legal implications of AI technology in the entertainment industry.