Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, is a prominent Indian gaming YouTuber and streamer from Madhya Pradesh. She rose to fame through gameplay videos and live streams of titles like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), PUBG, and GTA V. With over 4.5 million YouTube subscribers and millions more on Instagram, she’s one of India’s top female gaming creators, affiliated with S8UL Esports, and has received awards like Gaming Creator of the Year.
In mid-December 2025, an explicit intimate video began circulating widely on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and Instagram. Users falsely linked it to Payal, often referring to it as a “Dubai MMS” or similar, claiming it featured her. The clip spread rapidly, with screenshots, thumbnails, and unverified links fueling speculation and trends like “Payal Gaming viral video.”
Payal Dhare’s Strong Denial
On December 17-18, 2025, Payal broke her silence with a detailed statement on Instagram and other platforms. She categorically denied any involvement:
- “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,” highlighting how quickly misinformation undermines a person’s dignity.
- Payal emphasized the real-world impact: “These actions have consequences far beyond the screen, affecting real people, real families, and real lives.”
- She urged the public and media to refrain from sharing, reproducing, or speculating about the material.
- She confirmed that legal steps are being taken to address the misuse of her name and likeness.
Outrage and Support
The incident sparked mixed reactions:
- Outrage: Many condemned the rapid spread of unverified content, calling it harassment and a violation of privacy. Critics pointed to how such scandals exploit women’s images for clicks and views.
- Support: Payal’s fans rallied strongly, defending her and labeling the video a hoax. Numerous posts on X and elsewhere urged people to stop sharing links, with comments like “Dragging her name without proof is wrong” and warnings about scam sites linked to the clips.
Is It AI-Manipulated or Deepfake?
A significant portion of discussions, including from fans and some reports, suggested the video is either:
- An AI-generated deepfake,
- A manipulated clip,
- Or recycled footage of an unrelated person falsely attributed to Payal.
No verified source or authority has confirmed the woman in the video is Payal. Fact-checks and digital experts have warned that such content often leads to phishing or malware sites, and spreading it can have legal consequences under India’s IT Act for defamation and cybercrimes.
This case follows a pattern of similar unfounded controversies targeting Indian creators, raising broader concerns about deepfakes, online harassment, and digital privacy—especially for women in public-facing roles.
Payal has expressed gratitude for the support received and continues to focus on her gaming career. Responsible online behavior is key: Verify before sharing, and respect privacy.