SP Charan, the son of the revered Indian playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, has initiated legal action against the creators of the Telugu film “Keedaa Cola.” Allegations suggest that the film’s producers employed artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-fake technology to replicate SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice without consent.

Accusations Of Disrespect And Unauthorised Use

Charan contends that the purported use of his father’s voice through AI methods in the movie’s soundtrack is a blatant disrespect to his father’s legacy and threatens professional singers’ livelihoods. The legal notice demands an apology, compensation, and a share of the film’s royalties as reparation for the unauthorised utilisation of SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice.

Complex Ethical Quandaries Unveiled

Regarding using technology to revive the voices of cherished musicians no longer with us, Charan cited composer AR Rahman in the remarks. The statement added,

“I believe there is a legitimate method to achieve this; technology should serve people rather than take away their livelihoods. On this occasion, I felt happy since it was a terrific opportunity to reach out to families while ensuring that the artists’ legacy would continue.

If this trend of using AI technology for commercial exploitation in the entertainment industry continues without valid consent or permission, current and future singers, who are valuable resources to the music industry and whose livelihoods rely solely on their voices, will be jeopardized.

The statement denied the previously disclosed fact of exploiting the late SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice using AI technology and falsely proposed a media trial rather than a legal method. We abstain from adopting sneaky tactics to manage this subject and do not wish to hasten this issue through media trials. We only propose to take this issue legitimately.”

The Song

On January 16th, the film unit received the notice along with music director Vivek Sagar. The movie “Keedaa Cola” was released last year. In the film, AI helped recreate SPB’s voice for the background song “Mutyamantha” by Swati.

Potential Ramifications And Future Discussions

The outcome of Charan’s legal action remains pending, yet the case has brought to the forefront crucial questions about the ethical boundaries of AI applications in entertainment. As AI technology progresses, it is imperative to address these ethical quandaries proactively.

In the broader discourse surrounding AI’s role in creative endeavours, prioritizing practical challenges such as ensuring naturalistic voice replication and guarding against misuse for deep-fake creation must accompany ethical considerations.