A deepfake video featuring Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh has been making rounds on social media. The video falsely portrays the actor endorsing a political party, leading to a flurry of confusion and concern among fans and the public.
Immediate Action By Authorities
The Maharashtra Cyber Police have promptly registered a case against an unidentified user, called ‘X user,’ who is believed responsible for uploading the manipulated video. Jugjeet Singh Bhavnani, the actor’s father, complained.
Deepfake Technology: A Rising Threat
Artificial intelligence, used in deepfake technology to produce phoney but incredibly realistic videos, is becoming a growing concern. In this case, the video in question altered Ranveer’s video from a recent fashion show in Varanasi into one featuring the star sharing his political views. Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, this was a severe issue as it could change the mindset of individuals.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
The police have launched a FIR under the applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code. Including 417 (cheating), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 469 (forgery for the purpose of harming reputation), and sections of the Information Technology Act. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is underway to identify those responsible for creating and disseminating the deepfake video.
Ranveer Singh’s Stand On The Issue
Ranveer Singh’s father emphasized that the actor has no affiliations with any political party. He never made the statements depicted in the manipulated video. In addition to Ranveer warning fans about the viral video, his spokesperson also confirmed that the actor was taking legal action to take the necessary action.
The spokesperson said: “Yes, we have filed the police complaint, and an FIR has been lodged against the handle promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Mr. Ranveer Singh.”
Following the worldwide success of the AI-generated video on social media, Ranveer posted on his Instagram Story on Friday, April 19, saying,
Deepfake se bacho dostonnnn 💀
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) April 19, 2024
Aamir Khan’s Deepfake Video
Aamir Khan’s deepfake video endorsing a political party had already gone viral. Aamir’s spokesperson:
“We want to clarify that Aamir Khan has never endorsed any political party throughout his 35-year career. He has dedicated his efforts to raising awareness through Election Commission public awareness campaigns for many past elections.”
The Need For Digital Vigilance
This incident underscores the need for vigilance in the digital age when technology can be misused to spread misinformation and harm reputations. It reminds us that while technology has its benefits, it also has its perils.
