HC Slams Viral AI Video of Akshay Kumar as Maharishi Valmiki, Calls It ‘Against Public Interest’
Akshay Kumar Deepfake Video: The Bombay High Court has issued an order regarding the deepfake video of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. The Bombay High Court has ordered the immediate removal of the video from all platforms.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is in the spotlight these days for an AI-made video of him as Maharishi Valmiki, which went viral on social media. The Bombay High Court has acted strongly and directed the video to be taken down immediately from all platforms. The court has called it "seriously worrying" and "against public interest."
A bench headed by Justice Arif Doctor stated that such content poses a threat not only to an actor's image but also to the moral fabric of society. He said, "Such videos created with the help of AI appear so realistic that it is almost impossible to distinguish between real and fake. This is not just a matter of personal concern, but also of public interest."
The court also stated in its order that such deepfake videos pose a serious challenge to a person's privacy, dignity, and family safety. Justice Doctor warned that "such content can create misunderstandings, animosity, and instability in society. Therefore, it should be immediately removed from public platforms."
Senior advocate Birendra Saraf, representing actor Akshay Kumar, argued in court that the rapid spread of AI-generated content is not only damaging the image of artists but could also become the new face of fake news and cybercrime in the future. The court agreed with his argument, stating that strict monitoring and technical control are necessary in such cases.
Following the incident, Akshay Kumar issued a statement on X on September 23, saying, "I have seen some AI-generated videos depicting me as Maharishi Valmiki. I want to clarify that these videos are completely fake. Sadly, some channels are running them as news without verification." In today's era, when misleading content is easily created using AI, I appeal to the media to verify any news before publishing it.
Following this incident, expectations have increased from the central and state governments to enact strict laws to monitor and control AI-based content. Akshay Kumar is currently busy shooting for his upcoming films "Bhoot Bangla," "Welcome to the Jungle," and "Haiwaan."
