Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar has publicly denounced an AI‑generated video circulating on social media that falsely shows him saying he has "ultimately turned to God," calling the clip "rubbish" and saying he is seriously considering legal action. According to the report by The420.in, Akhtar posted the denial on his social accounts and criticised the video as a deliberate attempt to mislead viewers. [1]

The fabricated clip uses a computer‑generated image of Akhtar wearing a topi (described variously as a cap or skull cap in other accounts) and attributes to him a statement he did not make. India Today and ABP Live reported that Akhtar has warned he may report the matter to cyber police and pursue legal remedies against those who created and shared the deepfake. Times of India and Moneycontrol similarly quoted him as threatening strict legal action. [2][4][3][5]

The episode has reignited wider concerns about the misuse of generative AI to produce deepfakes that can rapidly damage reputation and stoke social tensions. Government officials and digital‑media experts have flagged a rise in AI‑morphed videos targeting politicians, celebrities and private individuals in India, and noted that existing laws on impersonation, defamation and misinformation are being applied to AI‑generated material. Industry observers quoted by The420.in and The Statesman warned that platform takedown policies remain uneven and, once a deepfake goes viral, "the damage is already done." [1][6]

Akhtar, a long‑standing public voice on rationalism and social issues, said the clip appears designed to misrepresent his firmly held positions and provoke controversy. The Telegraph India and The Statesman pointed out that his self‑described atheism makes the false attribution especially inflammatory in a diverse society where religious sensitivities can be exploited. [7][6]

Legal experts say pursuing cyber complaints and defamation cases in such matters can set important precedents and act as a deterrent, but they also note procedural hurdles and the speed at which content spreads. Reports in India Today and Times of India emphasise calls from technology and media specialists for clearer regulatory frameworks for generative AI, faster takedown mechanisms from social platforms and stronger accountability for creators and intermediaries. [2][3]

For now, Akhtar's public denunciation adds to a growing chorus of prominent figures demanding stricter safeguards and clearer accountability for the misuse of artificial intelligence. Several outlets report he has not yet confirmed whether a formal complaint has been filed, but his statement signals a likely legal course of action that could test how existing laws are applied to synthetic media. [1][5]

##Reference Map:

  • [1] (The420.in) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6
  • [2] (India Today) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 5
  • [3] (Times of India) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 5
  • [4] (ABP Live) - Paragraph 2
  • [5] (Moneycontrol) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 6
  • [6] (The Statesman) - Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4
  • [7] (The Telegraph India) - Paragraph 4

Source: Noah Wire Services