AI-Generated Deepfake Wedding Video Sparks False Rumors About Indian Actors
An AI-generated video depicting a wedding between Indian actors Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur went viral on social media in January 2026. The creator later added a disclaimer clarifying the video was AI-generated and for entertainment purposes, though it had already spread widely online before the disclaimer became visible.
What happened
On January 22, 2026, an Instagram account named @devaimation shared an AI-generated video showing a wedding scene between actors Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur. The video depicted Dhanush in a traditional white and golden veshti and Mrunal in a bright red saree seated in front of holy fire, with industry figures including Shruti Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, Vijay, and Dulquer Salmaan appearing as wedding guests.
The video appeared highly realistic and sparked confusion and speculation among fans online until the creator added a disclaimer stating, 'This reel is AI-generated and for entertainment and news-style representation only. No official confirmation has been made by the individuals involved.'
Reported impact
The AI-generated video went viral on social media, leaving fans shocked, confused, and excited. While most users quickly realized the video was fake despite its realistic appearance, the clip had already spread widely on the internet before the disclaimer was added.
Index analysis
The deepfake video demonstrates the capability of AI systems to generate hyper-realistic synthetic media depicting real individuals in fabricated scenarios. The initial viral spread before the disclaimer became visible illustrates the rapid dissemination of synthetic media in digital environments.
Governance controls
The creator of the video later added a disclaimer clarifying the AI-generated nature of the content, though this came after the clip had already spread widely online.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.