Authors
Claim
Kapil Dev is abducted by some goons
Fact
Kapil Dev was not kidnapped as seen in the viral video. It is a Behind the scene clip of a shoot for an advertisement film by Disney Hotstar on the upcoming ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2023.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is set to kick off in India this October. However, a viral video on social media suggests that former India captain Kapil Dev may have been kidnapped. The footage shows him being forcefully taken by two individuals, with his mouth gagged and hands tied behind his back. He appears visibly concerned and glances back at the camera as he is led into a green-colored house before he turns to the person recording the video. Kapil Dev, the iconic 1983 World Cup-winning skipper, is at the center of this alarming incident.
Former World Cup-winning Indian cricketer and MP Gautam Gambhir posted the video on X and wrote – “Anyone else received this clip, too? Hope it’s not actually @therealkapildev and that Kapil Paaji is fine!” The post can be seen here.
The same video has been posted by many X users with the claim that Kapil Dev is kidnapped. Those can be seen here, here, here & here.
The same video has gone viral on social media platform Facebook as well. Those posts can be seen here & here.
Fact Check / Verification
In order to ascertain the fact of the viral quote, we conducted a key-word search with “Kapil Dev abducted” & “Kapil Dev kidnapped” and it yielded several news articles by Scroll.in & Hindustan Times published on September 26, 2023 & September 27, 2023 respectively, which reported that Gautam Gambhir shares the truth behind the viral video on Kapil Dev’s Kidnap. The reports can be read here and here.
We also found another report by Best Media Info, where the headline says, “Manja takes Kapil Dev hostage for Disney+ Hotstar.” The report can be seen here.
As per the data from the report, leading up to the ICC Cricket World Cup2023, creative agency Manja has launched a project-based ad campaign for Disney+ Hotstar. The campaign, conceived by Arvind Krishnan and Prajato Guha’s ad agency, focuses on Disney+ Hotstar’s live and free streaming of the upcoming Cricket World Cup. The ad, titled ‘Poora ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for FREE on mobile,’ is a 50 second western-style drama. It portrays an entire village holding Kapil Dev hostage to secure a ‘guarantee’ against power cuts during tournament streaming. A police officer reassures them that Disney+ Hotstar offers live and free streaming, even with data-saving mode, easing their concerns.
Next, we see a tweet pinned to the X Page of Disney+ Hotstar. You can view it by clicking here.
The video can also be seen on Disney+ Hotstar’s Youtube Page. The description of the same video uploaded on September 26 says –
#KapilDev #DisneyPlusHotstar || Kaptaan sahab kidnap kyun karna, jab #DisneyPlusHotstar de raha hai poora ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup bilkul FREE on mobile! Data saver mode ke saath! Toh bas aao, free mein dekhte jaao!
#ItnaSabFreeKa #WorldCupOnHotstar #KapilDev
After that, Newschecker checked Gautam Gambhir’s X profile where he had posted another video about Kapil Dev. Gambhir wrote – Areh @therealkapildev paaji well played! Acting ka World Cup 🏆 bhi aap hi jeetoge! Ab hamesha yaad rahega ki ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is free on @DisneyPlusHS mobile. The post can be seen clicking here.
Conclusion
Legendary cricketer and 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev has not been kidnapped as mentioned in the viral video. The viral video is an Ad Video for the upcoming ICC Mens Cricket World Cup produced by Manja, an advertising agency for DisneyPlusHotstar. The claims with the viral video are false.
Result: False
Our Sources:
1. Report by Hindustan Samachar, dated September 27, 2023
2. Report by Scroll.in, dated September 26, 2023
3. Report by Best Media Info, dated September 26, 2023
4. Gautam Gambhir, X Profile
5. DisneyPlusHotstar – X Profile & Youtube Channel
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