AI-Generated Deepfake Video Impersonates Indian Politician Praising Pakistan
An AI-generated deepfake video circulated online on February 12, 2026 showing Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praising Pakistan over a T20 World Cup diplomatic dispute. Tharoor and fact-checking outlets confirmed the video was fabricated, containing neither his voice nor language.
What happened
A video began circulating on social media on or around February 12, 2026 showing Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praising Pakistan for its diplomatic handling of a T20 World Cup boycott controversy scheduled for February 15. The video featured Tharoor saying Pakistan's actions were 'absolute brilliance' and that the Indian cricket board was 'completely pinned hands down.'
The video was generated using AI tools and did not contain Tharoor's actual voice or language. India Today's fact-check investigation identified discrepancies in Tharoor's voice and reverse-searched keyframes to find the original footage was from a February 10 video in which Tharoor spoke in Hindi, not English.
Reported impact
Tharoor publicly identified the video as fake, stating it was 'AI-generated fake news' and that it was 'neither my language nor my voice.' His office confirmed the MP had made no such statement.
The video spread on social media platforms including X and Instagram with captions claiming Tharoor had praised Pakistan, potentially misleading readers about the MP's actual position on the diplomatic row.
Index analysis
The deepfake was designed to appear credible by impersonating a well-known political figure during a sensitive moment in India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy, when Pakistan had reversed its initial decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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