Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan dancing to Bollywood song “Tauba Tauba”
Fact
Choreographer Kiran J has been misidentified as the former cricketer
A video showing a man dancing to the song “Tauba Tauba” from Vicky Kaushal-starrer Bad Newz is going viral on social media platforms. Multiple users who shared the footage claimed that it shows legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan grooving to the Bollywood number. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
The one-minute-long-video is being widely circulated on X with users claiming to show Muttiah Muralitharan shaking a leg on “Tauba Tauba” .The claim has also found its way to YouTube.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
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Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to a YouTube video by @YummYummFoods, dated July 30, 2024. It displayed the same video which is widely being shared to show Muralitharan grooving to the Bollywood song with hashtags “#taubatauba #kiranj…”
Multiple X users, such as this and this, also identified the dancer in the viral video as Kiran J.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Kiran J” and “dancer” on Google which yielded his YouTube channel “@MrKiranJ.” We skimmed through the channel and found that the viral footage was uploaded on July 25, 2024.
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The channel features multiple dance videos of the man seen in the viral footage in brightly lit-up spaces, showing his face clearly. A comparison between screengrabs from Kiran J’s dance videos and Muralitharan’s photo can be seen below.
Furthermore, the viral footage was also shared on the official Instagram account of Kiran Jopale (@mr.kiranj) on July 22, 2024. “CAN’T GET OVER WITH THIS VIBE🧿THANK SO MUCH BANGALORE @dance.inn.bangalore FOR SUCH A MEMORABLE DAY♥️ LOTS OF LOVE,” stated the post.
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Conclusion
Hence we find that a dancer has been misidentified as former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan dancing to Bollywood song “Tauba Tauba”.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Channel Of @MrKiranJ
Instagram Post By @mr.kiranj, Dated July 22, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
