An AI-generated video, which went viral, showing Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as Maharishi Valmiki has triggered anger within the Valmiki community. Protests were held by Valmiki community leaders here in Jalandhar that led to the registration of an FIR against an unidentified person for circulating the clip, which they allege misrepresents their revered saint.
On Tuesday, Manish Gill, head of the local Valmiki community, submitted a memorandum to Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur demanding strict action. He said the FIR lacked seriousness as no individual had been named and no stringent charges were included. “The portrayal of Lord Valmiki in this video is deeply offensive. We demand it be taken down immediately and that those behind it face strict punishment. The censor board must also include our representatives so such mistakes never happen again,” Gill said.
The community leaders also said that search engines must correct what they describe as misleading information about Maharishi Valmiki available online, warning of intensified protests if swift action is not taken. Leaders said they would take the matter to senior officials and, if required, approach the High Court or Supreme Court.
Police officials, meanwhile, clarified that the viral clip was not an official trailer but an AI-manufactured video. They assured that no film starring Akshay Kumar as Valmiki exists and confirmed efforts are underway to trace the source of the fake video.
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar himself issued a statement distancing from the controversy. “The video circulating online is completely fake. It has been made using AI. I am not playing Maharishi Valmiki in any film. I request everyone not to believe or spread such misinformation,” the actor said.
