New Delhi, December 19, 2025 – A purported explicit video claiming to feature popular Indian gaming influencer Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, has taken social media by storm over the past 48 hours, sparking widespread speculation and malicious link-sharing campaigns. However, the 21-year-old YouTuber has categorically denied any involvement, labeling the clip as fake and announcing legal action against those spreading it.
The Controversy Unfolds
The video, approximately 1-2 minutes long in circulating clips, allegedly shows a woman in an intimate act, with netizens quick to tag Payal Gaming due to superficial facial similarities. Dubbed the “Payal Gaming MMS” or “Dubai Leak,” it exploded on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram starting December 17, amassing millions of views amid demands for “full original links.” Numerous posts and shady websites promised “HD full video” downloads, often leading to malware-ridden sites or paywalls demanding payments up to ₹5,000.
Fans and experts have swiftly debunked these claims, pointing to telltale signs of AI deepfake manipulation: unnatural facial movements, mismatched audio (including background TV noise in an unidentified language), and inconsistencies in body proportions. “It’s a lookalike or deepfake, not Payal,” echoed multiple supporters, with some fact-checks confirming the woman is not the influencer.
Importantly, the clip has no connection to the recent “19-minute viral video” involving Bengali influencers Sofik SK and Dustu Sonali, despite false rumors linking them.
Payal Gaming Breaks Her Silence
In a heartfelt Instagram statement posted on December 18, Payal addressed the “distressing and personal” ordeal for the first time:
“I never expected to have to speak publicly about something so personal and distressing. Over the past few days, content has been circulated online that falsely associates my name and image with a video currently being shared on digital platforms. I want to state this clearly and without ambiguity: the individual depicted in that video is not me, and it has no connection to my life, my choices, or my identity.”
“I urge the public and members of the media to refrain from sharing, reproducing, or speculating about this material in any form. Appropriate legal steps are being taken to address the misuse of my name and likeness, and to ensure accountability in accordance with the law.”
Rumors also implicated her rumored boyfriend, Parv Singh, but no evidence supports this, and he has reportedly echoed her denial.
Who is Payal Gaming?
Hailing from Umranala village in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Payal Dhare rose from humble beginnings—without even a personal phone during school—to become India’s pioneering female gaming sensation. Starting her YouTube channel in 2019, she now boasts over 4.5 million subscribers, specializing in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), PUBG, and GTA V streams. As a key member of S8UL Esports, she made history as the first Indian woman to hit 3 million subscribers and won an international MOBIES award in 2024. Last year, she was the sole female gamer invited to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss esports growth. Her net worth is estimated at ₹1-9 crore, with monthly earnings around $10,000, including her Thriftxpayal retail line.
A Stark Warning on Deepfakes and Scams
Cyber experts warn that “full video” links are phishing traps designed to steal data or install malware. Under India’s IT Act Section 67, sharing such obscene fakes carries fines up to ₹10 lakh and imprisonment up to 5 years. Payal’s case underscores the rising threat of AI-generated content targeting women influencers, with fans rallying under #StandWithPayalGaming.
As of December 19, no authentic “full original” video exists—only fabrications aimed at defamation and clicks. Payal’s legal team is pursuing action, urging netizens: Verify before sharing.
Stay tuned for updates. Do not engage with suspicious links.