By Grok News Desk
December 19, 2025
MUMBAI: Popular Indian gaming influencer Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, has firmly denied involvement in a controversial explicit video that has gone viral across social media platforms, including Telegram and X (formerly Twitter). The 21-year-old YouTuber, who boasts over 4 million Instagram followers and millions of subscribers on YouTube, addressed the rumors in a detailed Instagram statement on December 17, clarifying that the clip has “no connection” to her life.
The video in question, approximately 1 minute and 20 seconds long and dubbed the “Payal Gaming Dubai MMS Leak,” began circulating widely on December 16. It purportedly shows an intimate encounter allegedly filmed in Dubai, with thumbnails and links flooding Telegram channels, Instagram Reels, and X posts promising “full videos.” However, fact-checks and fan analyses have labeled it a deepfake or face-swapped fabrication, sparking outrage over the misuse of AI technology.
In her emotional post, Payal wrote: “I never expected to have to speak publicly about something so personal and distressing. Over the past few days, content has been circulated 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 described the situation as “deeply hurtful and dehumanizing,” urged fans not to share or speculate, and confirmed that legal action is underway against those responsible.
Fans rallied behind Payal almost immediately, with many pointing out inconsistencies in the video, such as unnatural facial movements indicative of AI manipulation. “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 commented. Her rumored boyfriend, Parv Singh, also reportedly broke his silence, supporting her denial, though details remain unverified from official sources.
Payal Gaming rose to fame through her engaging PUBG Mobile streams and esports involvement, earning accolades like “Mobile Streamer of the Year 2024” and partnerships with brands like iQOO. She is part of the S8UL esports team and has a massive following for her skillful gameplay and vibrant personality.
This incident underscores the growing menace of deepfakes in India, where AI-generated content has targeted celebrities and influencers, leading to emotional distress and reputational damage. Experts warn that such videos are often recycled clips with superimposed faces, designed to exploit virality for clicks or scams via fake Telegram links.
As investigations proceed, Payal’s swift response has been praised for empowering victims of digital misinformation. Social media users are now calling for stricter regulations on AI content to prevent similar hoaxes.