New Delhi: An FIR has been registered against a social media handle for promoting the deepfake video of Ranveer Singh, the actor’s spokesperson said on Monday. Last week, a video of Singh went viral on the internet in which the actor could be seen voicing his political opinion. The video is a snippet from an original interview, which seems to have been edited using artificial intelligence technology, the actor gave when he was in Varanasi for a fashion show.

According to the spokesperson, Singh has filed a police complaint and the FIR has been lodged for further investigation by the Cyber Crime Cell. “We have filed the police complaint and FIR has been lodged against the handle promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Mr Ranveer Singh,” the spokesperson for the actor said in a statement.

Soon after the video went viral, the actor warned the audience on X by writing, “Deepfake se bacho dostonnnn (Beware of deepfake, friends)”Before Singh, a similar AI-edited clip of superstar Aamir Khan went viral on social media.

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Last year, a viral deepfake video of Rashmika Mandanna left the actor’s friends, family and fans aghast, with the Animal (2023) actor calling it “extremely scary.” That monster has returned.

Recently, deepfake videos featuring actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, promoting political parties were circulated. Clearing the air, both actors swiftly reacted, Khan declaring it “fake and untrue” and Singh taking to X to warn his fans, “Deepfake se bacho dostonnnn.” Khan and Singh have filed FIRs.

Despite PM Narendra Modi consistently cautioning citizens against the threat, the misuse of the technology and stars’ fan following to influence political opinion is worrying. We speak to experts on the steps that could be taken to curb the menace.

“Aamir Khan’s video looks super realistic and properly synchronized. That’s the level of perfection we have reached,” says cybercrime investigator Ritesh Bhatia, who shares that he predicted the rise of deepfakes four years ago.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is available to everyone, so, with just one photo, you can make anyone sing, dance or do anything. That’s why it’s not easy to differentiate between real and fake.”

Not everyone is equipped to distinguish between real and fake, or abreast of the latest technological tools of manipulation. And that often results in a heavy price to pay. Image consultant Tina Singh Walia says, “It can be highly detrimental to a celebrity’s public image as the masses will be divided on this. It will adversely impact their fan following and future.”

Walia adds, “A celebrity like Ranveer Singh has to strive hard to build a powerful and positive personal brand narrative that can be reversed in mere seconds by such acts of foul play. It then becomes his priority to issue a public statement.”

Bhatia suggests using the P.O.V. method to judge if something is fake. “P is for pause to think it might be fake, O to show zero trust on what you see on the internet and V is for verify,” he says, adding, “Victims need to talk about it and media needs to report it otherwise this all is going to become normal.”