Ranveer Singh Deepfake Video: Cyber Crime Cell Files FIR After Actor Lodges Police Complaint

After Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt and Nora Fatehi’s deepfake videos went viral, there was widespread outcry about the misuse of technology and the absence of adequate legal safeguards that have allowed this harmful use of artificial intelligence (AI) to flourish. And now, Ranveer Singh has become the latest victim of the menace sweeping the industry. In a recent development, the official spokesperson of Ranveer Singh has confirmed that based on a police complaint by Ranveer, an FIR has been lodged for further investigation by the Cyber Crime Cell.

Issuing the statement, the spokesperson said, “Yes, we have filed the police complaint and FIR has been lodged against the handle that was promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Mr. Ranveer Singh (sic)”.

In a fake, AI-generated deepfake video featuring the actor, he is seen purportedly voicing his political views. While the video from the actor’s recent visit to Varanasi is genuine, the audio is of an AI-enabled voice clone of the actor. In the clip, Singh was seen urging people to vote for “Nayay (justice)” in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. However, it was later clarified that the viral video was morphed and edited. Ranveer also addressed the issue and warned everyone on social media by posting on X, “Deepfake se bacho dostonnnn.”

Earlier this month, another deepfake video of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan also went viral on social media in which he was seen promoting a political party. After the video caught everyone’s attention, Mumbai police came into action and registered an FIR against an unnamed person. The FIR was filed at the Khar Police station by Khan’s office under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating) and other sections of the Information Technology Act.

Later, Aamir Khan’s spokesperson also issued a statement and clarified that the viral video was “fake”. “We want to clarify that Mr 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,” Khan’s spokesperson said in a statement.