Was it a genuine video leaked accidentally or a deepfake maliciously created for cyber bullying? Internet is divided as actress Oviya Helen has found herself in the middle of a controversy after an MMS clip, allegedly showing her in a compromising position with a man, emerged.
The video, wherein a woman with a shoulder tattoo similar to Oviya's can be seen, has already set the social media on fire after it was widely shared on X and Facebook.
Oviya, also known as Helen Nelson, has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the clip, but many of her fans believe that it is a manipulated video aimed at tarnishing the actress’s image. They also cite the recent controversies wherein deepfakes of several celebrities were created and shared through social platforms.
Who is Oviya Helen?
Born in Kerala’s Thrissur, Oviya is a popular name in south Indian cinema. She began her acting career by playing supportive roles in Kangaroo (2007) and Puthiya Mukham (2009)—both starring Prithviraj.
Oviya’s debut as a heroin was in Tamil film Kalavani directed by Sargunam. Her role as a village girl in Kalavani drew critical appreciations, after which she appeared in several successful films in Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.
Oviya’s notable movies included Nallaai Namadhe (Tamil), Putthumukhangal (Malayalam), Karataka (Kannada), Marina (Malayalam), and Pullivaal (Tamil). She won Best Rising Star Award for her performance in Kalakalappu.
However, the actress gained a huge fanbase after her stint in reality show Big Boss Tamil in 2017. Despite being a popular contestant, Oviya faced mental health issues and eventually opted out of the show.
A ‘next time’ response
Amid the row, the 33-year-old actress has sought to put up a brave face when she gave a teeny response to a user on Instagram. When the user said the video could have been a bit longer, Oviya responded, saying, "Next time bro".