Actor Ranveer Singh Files Police Complaint Over Viral Deepfake Video

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has filed a police complaint regarding a widely circulated deepfake video that appeared to show him criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and endorsing the opposition Congress party ahead of India's general elections.

The original video footage showed Singh giving an interview to news agency ANI during a recent visit to Varanasi. However, in the altered deepfake version that went viral, the audio was generated using an AI tool to make Singh seem like he was attacking the PM over issues like unemployment and inflation.

"Deepfake se bacho doston (Friends, beware of deepfakes)," Singh warned his followers on Instagram after the manipulated clip spread online. It concluded with a message urging people to vote for Congress.

Singh's team confirmed that a First Information Report has now been registered with police, who are investigating the source of the deepfake video. "Yes, we have filed the police complaint and FIR has been lodged against the handle that was promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Ranveer Singh," a spokesperson said.

This incident comes after a similar deepfake falsely depicting actor Aamir Khan promoting a political party also went viral recently. Khan's team had to clarify he has never endorsed any party during his 35-year career.

The spread of such AI-generated deepfakes featuring famous actors underlines the potential role this technology could play in misleading the public ahead of India's upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Deepfakes are already being deployed as misinformation tactics during elections in other countries like the United States, Pakistan and Indonesia.

As AI capabilities advance, experts warn deepfakes will become increasingly difficult to detect, posing concerning implications for the integrity of elections and public discourse. The legal repercussions for those found responsible for maliciously creating and circulating deepfakes in India remain unclear.