Manoj Bajpayee Slams “Fake” Viral Video Linking Him to Political Endorsement Ahead of Bihar Elections

Celebrated Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee has strongly condemned the circulation of a manipulated video that falsely depicted him endorsing a political party in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections. The viral video, which made rounds on social media just as the campaign season heated up, was revealed to be a patched-up edit of an old advertisement rather than genuine political promotion.​

The Fake Clip and Actor’s Clarification

The video, shared widely among political circles and by accounts linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), appeared at first glance to show Bajpayee supporting a specific Bihar-based party. Subsequent investigation confirmed the clip was an edited version of a previously recorded ad for a streaming platform, repurposed to mislead the public and influence voter sentiment.​

Manoj Bajpayee responded swiftly and unequivocally from his official account, stating: “I would like to publicly state that I have no association or allegiance with any political party. The video being circulated is a fake, patched-up edit of an ad I did for @PrimeVideoIN. I sincerely appeal to everyone sharing it to stop spreading such distorted content and urge people not to engage with or encourage such misleading information”.​

Disinformation and Celebrity Rights Concerns

The incident comes as digital manipulation and AI-generated deepfakes become increasingly prevalent in India’s election landscape, stoking fears about public deception, reputational harm, and the misuse of celebrity persona. Bajpayee emphasized that misleading content not only damages his image but also confuses and misleads the public, especially at a time when elections make truthful information critical.​

Recent months have seen a wave of Bollywood personalities, including Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Suniel Shetty, legally securing their image and publicity rights to prevent unauthorized commercial or political exploitation.​

The Broader Message: Digital Literacy and Caution

Bajpayee urged the public to remain vigilant and verify before sharing any viral material: “In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to damage someone’s reputation. It’s the responsibility of viewers to discern truth from falsehood, especially during sensitive periods like elections”.​

The incident highlights the rising challenge of election-related misinformation in India and the urgent need for stricter online safeguards to protect both citizens and celebrities from digital manipulation.​