Deepfake Video of Actor Ranveer Singh Goes Viral
Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan embroiled in deepfake political endorsement scandal, urging vigilance ahead of elections.
In a recent turn of events, a shocking revelation has surfaced in the Indian entertainment and political spheres. Videos purportedly featuring Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan endorsing the Congress party have taken social media by storm. However, investigations have uncovered that these videos were not authentic endorsements but rather sophisticated deepfake creations.
The controversy unfolded when a video clip circulated widely on social media, depicting Ranveer Singh lambasting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration for issues like unemployment and inflation. The clip concluded with a call to support the Congress party. To the surprise of many, it was later revealed that the video was a deepfake, utilizing snippets from Singh's previous interview with news agency ANI during his visit to Varanasi. The actor's voice was manipulated to give the impression of political campaigning.
Similarly, another deepfake video emerged, this time featuring Aamir Khan allegedly endorsing the Congress party. Khan promptly denounced the video as fake and reported it to the Cyber Crime Cell of Mumbai Police. His team clarified that Khan had never endorsed any political party throughout his illustrious career spanning 35 years. The footage used in Khan's video was traced back to his television show, "Satyameva Jayate," from nearly a decade ago.
Both deepfake videos, lasting 41 seconds for Singh and 30 seconds for Khan, garnered substantial attention on social media platforms, accumulating over half a million views collectively. Despite swift action to remove such content, Mumbai Police highlighted the challenges posed by technical investigations, emphasizing the time-consuming nature of the process.
The proliferation of deepfake technology raises concerns about its potential impact on electoral processes, not only in India but also globally. Reports suggest that similar incidents have occurred in countries like the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia, underscoring the need for vigilance against misinformation.
Social media platforms such as Facebook have taken steps to address the spread of deepfake content, although challenges persist in effectively combating its dissemination. Amidst these developments, ISH News urges viewers to exercise caution and critical thinking, emphasizing the importance of verifying information and consulting official party manifestos before casting their votes. Each vote carries significant weight in shaping the future of the nation, making it essential to remain vigilant against deceptive tactics like deepfakes.
