Maharashtra Cyber Police have confirmed that a viral video falsely linked to popular gaming influencer Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, is a deepfake. According to an official certificate from the Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra State Cyber Department, the video was analysed using advanced technological tools and found to be tampered with and AI-generated. The analysis, dated December 19, 2025, confirms that the clip has no connection to Payal Gaming.
Following the circulation of the video, Payal Dhare filed a complaint, prompting the Maharashtra Cyber Police to register a criminal case. In a statement on Instagram, she thanked police officials for their swift response and urged the public and media not to share or speculate about the content. Legal action is being pursued against those responsible, under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which penalizes sharing obscene or objectionable content online with imprisonment and fines.
The controversy arose last week when an intimate video began circulating widely on social media. Many users falsely claimed that Payal Gaming was featured in the clip. Despite calls from fans to avoid sharing the content, the video continued to circulate. Payal clarified that the individual in the video is not her and emphasized that her personal life and identity were being misrepresented online.
Payal Dhare, a prominent Indian gaming content creator, began her streaming career in 2019 and gained fame with S8UL Esports. Known for live-streaming popular games like BGMI, PUBG, GTA V, and Call of Duty, she has over 4.5 million YouTube subscribers and 4 million Instagram followers. Last year, she became the only female gamer to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with leading Indian gamers on the future of gaming in India.
