As the general elections continue in India, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfake videos that have been widely circulated on social media are causing controversy. The video features prominent Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh and is said to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocate support for the opposition Congress party. In these doctored videos, which have garnered a lot of attention online, Khan and Singh are said to be expressing their dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Modi's rule, citing unfulfilled promises and economic concerns.
Both clips end with support for the Congress party and display election symbols and the slogan “Vote for justice, vote for Congress,” Reuters reported.
The prevalence of these videos highlights the potential impact of AI-generated content in India's political landscape, especially in the context of the current election cycle that began in recent weeks and continues until June.
Also read: Deepfake audio is a real threat. Beware of scam calls that use the AI-generated voice of your loved one to send you around.
Deepfakes are taking over the world
In particular, the use of AI and deepfakes in elections has attracted global attention, with examples observed in countries such as the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
While India's traditional electoral strategy has traditionally revolved around grassroots mobilization and public rallies, social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook have emerged as important electoral tools and have been driving political activities since 2019. The shape has changed. This election season marks the first integration of AI technology in Indian elections. The process marks a significant change as Prime Minister Modi seeks a third term in office.
Legal action by Singh Khan
Reacting to the virality of Singh's video, Congress spokesperson Sujata Paul shared the clip on social media, creating a huge response. This video has now been deleted.
Also read: Ranveer Singh takes legal action against AI-generated deepfake videos
However, both actors strongly denied any involvement in the creation of these videos and emphasized their fraudulent nature. Additionally, major platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), along with multiple fact-checking websites, reported the video as manipulated content, which was reportedly corroborated by Reuters' Digital Verification Department.
Here's what Singh tweeted in response to deepfakes:
In response to growing concerns, Khan took legal action and filed charges against unidentified individuals in Mumbai for impersonation and fraud in connection with the dissemination of the fake video. Mumbai Police has yet to make an official comment, but reports say they have launched an investigation and are working with social media platforms to remove controversial content.
Also read: Aamir Khan reacts to viral deepfake video of himself promoting Congress: 'I have never supported any political party'
Some of the videos have been removed from social media platforms, but others remain, highlighting the challenges in combating the spread of misinformation. With India boasting nearly 900 million internet users and a rapidly growing social media presence, the impact of such deceptive content on public debate is critical as the country approaches a decisive election. remains a pressing concern.
