By Grok News Desk
December 19, 2025
In a whirlwind of social media frenzy, popular Indian gamer and YouTuber Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, has become the center of a heated controversy over a 1-minute-16-second intimate video clip allegedly featuring her. The clip, which surfaced in the past few days and rapidly trended under searches like “Payal Gaming viral video 1.16,” has drawn millions of views across platforms, with unverified claims linking it to a Dubai trip or her personal life.
Payal, 21, categorically denied any involvement in an emotional Instagram statement posted on December 18, calling the video a fake and warning of legal action. “I never expected to have to speak publicly about something so personal and distressing,” she wrote. “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.”
She further highlighted the broader dangers: “What has been most painful is not only the misrepresentation itself, but the speed and ease with which a person’s dignity can be undermined in the digital space. These actions have consequences far beyond the screen, affecting real people, real families, and real lives.” Payal urged the public and media to stop sharing or speculating about the clip, adding that “appropriate legal steps are being taken to address the misuse of my name and likeness.”
Who is Payal Gaming?
Hailing from a small village near Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Payal launched her YouTube channel in 2019, captivating audiences with gameplay videos and live streams of titles like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), PUBG, and GTA V. Her relatable style propelled her to over 4.5 million subscribers, making her the first Indian female gamer to surpass 3 million. Affiliated with S8UL Esports, she has collaborated with top streamers, won a 2024 MOBIES award, and even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advocate for gaming as a career for women.
The Clip and Public Frenzy
The 1:16 clip, often dubbed the “Payal Gaming MMS,” depicts an explicit scene and exploded on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Telegram, with spam accounts peddling fake “full video” links for clicks or payments up to ₹5,000. Speculation tied it to prior viral trends like the “19-minute” and “40-minute” clips, fueling fears of coordinated misinformation campaigns.
Fans rallied in her defense, labeling it an AI-generated deepfake. “People need to understand how easy it is to create deepfake videos now. Dragging Payal Gaming’s name into this without proof is wrong,” one X user posted, echoing widespread sentiment. Reddit threads and Instagram comments similarly dismissed it as a “lookalike” or poor deepfake, with supporters decrying the harassment of women creators.
Legal Ramifications and Deepfake Warnings
Under Section 67 of India’s IT Act, sharing obscene content carries penalties of up to three years in jail and ₹5 lakh fine for first offenses, escalating for repeats. Authorities have repeatedly warned against disseminating such unverified videos, amid a surge in AI-driven hoaxes targeting influencers.
This incident underscores the growing threat of deepfakes, with experts noting how accessible tools enable rapid reputation sabotage. Payal’s case mirrors recent false links to creators like Sweet Zannat, highlighting the urgent need for better platform moderation and awareness.
As the clip continues trending, Payal’s fans have flooded social media with support, turning #SupportPayalGaming into a call for digital empathy. The influencer, undeterred, vows to pursue justice while focusing on her gaming legacy.