‘Demonic portrayal’: Chennai Mayor Priya objects to Galatta Media reels

Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor R Priya has issued a legal notice to Galatta Media Private Limited on Wednesday, October 28, objecting to social media reels that allegedly portrayed her as a demonic figure using visual effects and background music.

The legal notice, issued through the firm Saravanan and Partners, alleges that Galatta Media – which runs a YouTube channel – published and circulated her videos on its official Instagram and YouTube Shorts accounts with horns superimposed on her image, red lighting and music intended to evoke the impression of an evil or demonic character.

According to the notice, the video was taken at a public event where Priya was seated on a stage alongside other dignitaries. The mayor objected to four Instagram reels and one YouTube Short.

The notice alleged that the same video was uploaded multiple times on Instagram, each time with different accompanying music, to maximise its reach and repeatedly damage her public image.

“The objection arises from the combined effect of the altered visual representation, the horns graphically placed upon her image, the accompanying background music and the overall manner in which the content has been edited and presented to viewers,” the notice stated.

The notice said that the combination of the visual effects, music and editing created an impression capable of inviting hatred, ridicule and contempt towards Priya.

The notice also distinguished between criticism of a public representative and visual representations that degraded an individual's dignity and reputation.

Priya, according to the notice, recognised the importance of freedom of speech and expression and the media's role in a democracy. However, it argued that her position as mayor did not give others an unrestricted licence to subject her to degrading visual portrayals or gratuitous personal ridicule.

“The exercise of editorial freedom by a media organisation does not, by itself, answer the legitimate concerns arising from the manner in which an identifiable person's image has been used,” the notice stated.

The legal notice comes amid a series of complaints by Priya over alleged online harassment and the circulation of edited or morphed images and videos of her.

In July 2026, Priya approached the Greater Chennai Police, alleging that several social media accounts had circulated defamatory posts, morphed images and videos targeting her. She said the harassment had continued for nearly a year and caused her mental distress. The police directed the Cyber Crime Wing to investigate the complaints.

On October 20, she filed another complaint over an allegedly AI-generated obscene image and derogatory, sexually coloured remarks posted on social media. Priya had also accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries of repeatedly targeting her.

Priya was elected mayor in March 2022, becoming Chennai’s first Dalit woman mayor and the youngest person to hold the office at the time.