Indian gaming influencer Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, was recently at the centre of a major online controversy after an AI-generated intimate video, titled “Payal Gaming Dubai MMS”, went viral and was widely shared on social media with claims suggesting it featured her. Payal immediately clarified that the video was a deepfake and not real, and sought assistance from the Maharashtra Cyber Department to investigate the matter.
Following her complaint and a thorough cyber probe, authorities were able to trace and identify the individual responsible for creating the fabricated video. In January 2026, the cyber cell arrested the person behind the deepfake clip and publicly revealed his identity as Abhishek Jadhav. Details of the arrest and the accused were shared by Maharashtra Cyber on their official social media platforms, along with notices issued to those involved.
After being apprehended, Abhishek himself appeared in a video shared by the cyber unit in which he acknowledged his actions and issued a public apology. He revealed his Instagram handle as dobiga and expressed regret for using AI technology to create the fake 19-minute video with the intention of defaming Payal Gaming. In the apology, he stated that he was sorry for sharing fabricated visuals about the popular gaming YouTuber and apologised to both Payal and the Maharashtra Cyber team for the harm caused.
The case has raised concerns about the misuse of AI to create deepfake content and highlighted growing issues related to privacy breaches and online defamation targeting influencers and public figures. Following the incident, Payal Gaming reiterated her stance against spreading or engaging with fake content and confirmed that appropriate legal action would continue to be pursued.
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