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A fake social media account impersonating Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone created confusion among fans and media outlets on Thursday after posting a fabricated reaction to the first look of Prabhas’ upcoming film “Spirit.”
The impersonator claimed that Padukone was “sad” but found the film’s teaser “wonderful,” a statement that quickly gained traction across social media platforms. Official sources have since confirmed that Padukone made no such comment, and the viral post originated from an unverified account falsely representing the actress.
The misleading post surfaced shortly after acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga released an audio teaser for “Spirit” to commemorate Prabhas’ birthday. The multilingual teaser, launched in five Indian languages, showcased the film’s impressive ensemble cast including Triptii Dimri, Kanchana, Prakash Raj, and Vivek Oberoi alongside lead actor Prabhas.
Industry insiders expressed concern that several reputable national and regional media outlets published the fake statement without proper verification, amplifying the misinformation to wider audiences. This incident highlights the growing challenge of content verification in the age of social media, particularly for high-profile celebrities who are frequent targets of impersonation.
“Celebrity impersonation has become increasingly sophisticated on social media platforms,” said media analyst Rajiv Menon. “What’s concerning in this case is how quickly established media outlets picked up the statement without basic fact-checking, which significantly contributed to the spread of misinformation.”
This is not the first time a Bollywood celebrity has faced impersonation issues on social media. In recent years, several actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra have had to issue statements clarifying fake accounts operating in their names.
“Spirit” represents one of the most anticipated collaborations in Indian cinema, bringing together Prabhas, who gained international recognition through the “Baahubali” franchise, and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for controversial but commercially successful films like “Kabir Singh” and “Animal.” The film is expected to be a pan-Indian release with significant box office potential across multiple language markets.
Digital media experts have advised fans to exercise caution when consuming celebrity news online. “Always verify information through official, verified social media accounts before believing or sharing content,” suggested social media consultant Priya Sharma. “Blue check marks and official handles are essential verification tools, especially for news related to public figures.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the ease with which misinformation can spread in today’s digital landscape. Social media platforms have implemented verification processes to help users identify authentic accounts, but impersonators continue to find ways to create convincing fake profiles that can temporarily fool even seasoned media professionals.
Film industry watchers note that such incidents also underscore the immense public interest in projects involving major stars like Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, whose every move generates significant attention across traditional and social media channels.
As “Spirit” continues its production journey, fans are encouraged to rely on official channels for authentic updates about the film and its cast. Meanwhile, the film industry continues to grapple with the challenges of navigating an increasingly complex digital media environment where the line between authentic and fabricated content grows increasingly blurred.
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6 Comments
Social media impersonation and misinformation are growing problems. It’s good that the Deepika Padukone tweet was debunked, but it’s worrying that it gained so much traction before being corrected.
It’s concerning to see reputable media outlets reporting on unverified social media claims without proper fact-checking. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of content verification in the digital age.
This fake tweet about Deepika Padukone’s reaction to the new film ‘Spirit’ just goes to show how easy it is for misleading information to go viral. Fact-checking is so important in the age of social media.
While it’s disappointing to see a fake social media post gain so much attention, I’m glad the facts were eventually set straight. Maintaining trust in media and public figures is crucial.
I’m curious to learn more about the upcoming film ‘Spirit’ and the impressive ensemble cast. Hopefully this fake tweet incident won’t overshadow the real news and excitement around the project.
Interesting how quickly misinformation can spread these days, even impacting major media outlets. It’s a good reminder to always verify claims, especially those from unverified social media accounts.