Recently, there has been a surge in fake videos circulating on social media featuring Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh supposedly endorsing a political party during the current general election. These videos have captured significant attention, with both actors depicted criticizing the central government and advocating for the opposition party.
Response to Deepfake Allegations
Speaking on behalf of Singh, the spokesperson stated, “Yes, we have filed a police complaint and the FIR has been registered against the handle responsible for promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Mr. Ranveer Singh.”
Ranveer Singh’s Public Warning
Following the widespread dissemination of these deepfake videos, Ranveer Singh took to his social media platform (formerly Twitter) to caution his fans and followers about the escalating prevalence of deepfake content. Addressing them as “dostonnn” (friends), Singh emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against deepfake videos, urging everyone to “bacho dostonnn” (beware of deepfakes).
Aamir Khan’s Deepfake Encounter
Earlier this month, a deepfake video surfaced featuring Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan seemingly endorsing a political party. This video prompted action from the Mumbai police, resulting in the registration of an FIR against an unidentified individual at Khar Police Station. The FIR, initiated by Khan’s office, cited relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 419 (impersonation) and 420 (cheating), along with provisions from the Information Technology Act.
Subsequently, Aamir Khan’s spokesperson issued a statement debunking the video as “fake.” The spokesperson clarified that Khan has never officially endorsed any political party throughout his 35-year career. Instead, Khan has consistently engaged in public awareness campaigns organized by the Election Commission for various elections, demonstrating his commitment to non-partisan civic engagement.