A 33-second video depicting black smoke and flames billowing from the iconic dome of Agra’s Taj Mahal has gone viral on social media platforms, prompting confusion and concern among viewers globally. The video, originally posted by Australian actor Adrian Gee on Facebook, was later widely reshared across platforms without any context or disclaimer, leading many to mistakenly believe the world heritage monument had actually caught fire.
Officials have clarified that the video is entirely AI-generated and does not depict any real incident at the Taj Mahal. In fact, tourism and monument authorities have confirmed the monument remains untouched and safe for visitors.
The misleading footage has drawn criticism from tourism representatives and heritage conservationists. Deepak Dan, President of the Tourist Guide Welfare Association, expressed concern that such content could harm Agra’s billion-dollar tourism industry, as many people may not be able to differentiate fact from fiction. This sentiment is echoed by Agra Tourism Guild, which noted that videos like these can result in booking cancellations and negatively impact local businesses, especially after the severe downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Superintendent Archaeologist Smita S Kumar from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that, while AI-generated videos themselves are not illegal, manipulating and spreading fake videos to malign a national symbol is highly irresponsible. Law enforcement and cybercrime units have issued warnings against creating or sharing such misleading content, reminding the public and social media users to fact-check viral videos.
Despite an overall increase in visitors—nearly 65 lakh tourists, including 600,000 foreign nationals, have visited the Taj Mahal this year—authorities fear that misinformation could impact tourism growth if not swiftly countered.
Adrian Gee, who has previously posted similar AI-generated videos depicting other global landmarks under threat, omitted any disclaimer on the viral Taj Mahal video. The creation and widespread repurposing of the clip as actual news further highlight the urgent need for digital literacy and responsible use of AI tools.
Authorities have urged citizens and tourists not to trust or share dubious videos and to report such misleading content to relevant agencies for immediate action.