The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly refuted the authenticity of a video purportedly featuring Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, dismissing it as a "deliberate attempt to malign [his] image". The controversy surrounding the video has sparked concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology in Indian politics.

While details about the video's content remain scant in available reports, the AAP has asserted that the video is fake and intended to damage the Chief Minister's reputation. The party has also taken legal action, with a Mohali court reportedly ordering the removal of the AI deepfake clip.

Deepfakes, which utilize AI to create convincing but fabricated videos, have become a growing concern globally. In India, several prominent figures, including actors Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as well as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, have been targeted by deepfakes. These incidents have led to widespread concern, legal action, and increased calls for stronger regulations to combat the spread of misinformation and protect individuals from defamation. For instance, Alia Bhatt sued and secured protection orders from the Delhi High Court after being depicted making lewd gestures in a deepfake video. Aishwarya Rai pursued legal action for damages and removal of sexually explicit deepfake videos that falsely implicated her with Salman Khan. Sachin Tendulkar also addressed a deepfake video that falsely showed him endorsing a gaming app and urged prompt action from social media platforms.

In September 2022, a cropped video of Bhagwant Mann was circulated on social media with the false claim that he admitted to making false promises. Fact-checking revealed that the original video showed Mann stating that his party conveys what it cannot do instead of making empty promises.

The recent uproar over the alleged deepfake video of Bhagwant Mann underscores the potential for misuse of this technology in the political arena. As deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, they pose a significant threat to democracy by eroding trust in credible sources and manipulating public opinion. The incident has amplified the debate on the need for stricter regulations and increased awareness to combat the spread of deepfakes and protect public figures from their malicious use.

Authorities are yet to confirm details or findings from investigations, if any, into the matter.