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
Pankaj Tripathi asked voters to not vote for BJP.
Fact
Video found to be digitally edited.
A video allegedly showing actor Pankaj Tripathi dissuading people from voting for the BJP has gone viral on social media platforms. Several AAP linked X users shared the 32-second-long-video in the run up to the Delhi Assembly Polls. Newschecker, however, found the video to be edited.
In the video, Tripathi is purportedly heard saying in Hindi, “I sell peanuts, not my brains. Look at the message. BJP has sent it. It says, ‘You vote for us, and we will work for development.’ As if I don’t know. Here we vote for them, there the government money gets If vanish. I am a peanut seller, not a fool. Remember when BJP tries to lure you, say ‘I am not a fool.’”
Such posts can be seen here and here.
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Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the video, we noticed that the lip movements were not in sync with the audio when the words such as “BJP,” “vote” were heard. Further, we did not find any credible news reports suggesting that Pankaj Tripathi has made any such remarks against the saffron party.
We then looked up the keyframes of the viral video on Google lens which led us to a Facebook post by the Indian Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, dated October 1, 2024. Carrying a video of Tripathi in an identical set up, it stated, “A moongfaliwala receives a message claiming he has won a lottery & must click on a link to claim his prize money.Will he give in to temptation, or find a smart solution?”
In the 35-second-video, the actor is heard saying, “I sell peanuts, not my brains. Look at the message. It says, ‘You have won a lottery. Click on the link, enter your UPI PIN to earn money’… As if I don’t know? If I put my UPI pin, the money will vanish. I am a peanut seller, not a fool. Remember UPI says, ‘If someone lures you, then say ‘I am not a fool!’ ‘
After comparing the viral video with the Facebook clip, we could conclude that the footage of the actor allegedly criticising the BJP was digitally manipulated.
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For instance, the phone screen in the viral video was edited to show a ‘Vote For BJP’ image, while in the actual clip a lottery message is seen. Similarly, the audio has also been edited to falsely show the actor urging people to vote against the BJP.
The actual video was also shared on the official X account of @UPI_NPCI on September 23, 2024.
In a press release, dated November 6, 2024, the NCPI stated, “To raise awareness on the safe use of digital payment services and prevent scams, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a UPI Safety Awareness Campaign, Main Moorkh Nahi Hoon. Conceptualised by Ogilvy, the campaign seeks to empower citizens with the skills to counter common risks and threats from scammers.”
Adding, “As the campaign’s brand ambassador, renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi will star in a series of six ad films…Two films in the series, Moongfaliwala and Paanwala, featuring Pankaj Tripathi in roles matching the titles, have already been released.”
Other such awareness ads featuring Tripathi can be seen here and here.
We have reached out to the Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU), of The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), of which Newschecker is a part, to check whether the video has been manipulated using AI or not.
They checked the video on multiple AI detection tools, however, could not conclude anything definitive.
UPDATE ON 06/12/2024: The article was updated to include DAU’s response to Newschecker’s queries regarding the viral video.
Conclusion
Hence, the viral video of actor Pankaj Tripathi asking people to not vote for the BJP is digitally manipulated.
Result: Altered Video
Sources
Facebook Post By @meityindia, Dated October 1, 2024
X Post By @UPI_NPCI, Dated September 23, 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.
