Popular Indian YouTuber and gaming influencer Payal Dhare, better known as Payal Gaming, has suddenly found herself at the center of a social media firestorm. A private clip purported to show her in an intimate context has been circulating widely on platforms like Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and WhatsApp — and it’s sparked a mix of outrage, sympathy, and serious questions about AI, consent and digital misinformation.
But here’s the twist: there’s no confirmed evidence that the video is real or that the person in it is Payal Gaming — and both she and cyber investigators are treating parts of the case as a deepfake misuse and defamation issue, not a straightforward leak.
From Gaming Fame to Unwanted Spotlight
Payal Gaming is a well-known name in the Indian esports and streaming world. She built a massive audience on YouTube with gameplay content — particularly around titles like BGMI, PUBG and GTA — and has become one of the most followed gaming creators in the country.
In 2024, she even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss gaming as a career for youth, notably representing female gamers among top creators.
Yet in late December 2025, her name exploded on social feeds not for a gaming milestone — but because a alleged MMS clip began trending, with users claiming the video showed the influencer in a compromising situation.
Deepfake Claims and Fan Backlash
Within hours, screenshots and short clips were circulating with sweeping claims that this “Payal Gaming MMS” was real. But amid the noise, a significant counter-current grew: fans, digital experts, and even friends in the influencer community argued this was likely an AI-generated deepfake — a manipulated video designed to look real but created through technology, not actual footage.
There’s no public confirmation from any official forensic source that the video shows Payal Gaming. And crucially, she herself has categorically denied any connection to it. She has publicly stated she’s not in the clip and that such rumors have been deeply hurtful.
Legal Response: FIR and Cyber Police Involvement
As the controversy gained steam, Payal didn’t stay silent. She filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Cyber Police, and authorities have reportedly registered an FIR against parties alleged to have created or circulated the manipulated footage.
This isn’t a typical “celebrity leak” case. Police involvement signals a law enforcement perspective that this could be criminal tampering, privacy abuse or deliberate defamation, rather than an authentic leak of private content.
The cyber cell is warning users against sharing unverified material and reminding people that forwarding or hosting such files can itself be legally actionable.
Voices from the Community: Trauma, Support, and Reflection
Influencers and public figures have weighed in. Anjali Arora, a well-known social media personality, publicly shared her own traumatic experience with a similar fake MMS controversy in the past — underscoring how these viral rumors can cause long-lasting emotional and professional damage.
South Indian actor Sreeleela, who has also dealt with AI-generated rumor campaigns, posted in support of Payal Gaming and condemned the spread of fabricated content.
This isn’t just about one clip blowing up online; it’s about the psychological harm and reputation damage that misinformation can inflict when it spreads faster than facts.
Why It Matters: AI, Privacy, and Online Responsibility
There’s a broader conversation brewing beneath the headlines — one about AI tools that can make deepfake videos increasingly convincing, and the cultural and legal norms lagging behind the technology that generates them.
Experts and advocates warn that celebrities, influencers and private individuals alike are vulnerable when tools that warp faces, voices and identities can be whipped up with little cost and shared globally in milliseconds.
Legal frameworks in India are still catching up to how to handle digital privacy violations, deepfake tech, and digital fraud — which is why cyber police units are taking this case seriously.
The Takeaway
Right now, what’s clear is this:
- An alleged video linked to Payal Gaming has gone viral online.
- There is no verified proof the clip actually features her.
- Payal and law enforcement are treating the situation as a potential deepfake and online harassment issue, not a legitimate leak; legal action is underway.
- The incident has ignited wider debate about AI misuse, cyber ethics, and how fast misinformation can damage real people.
In a world where viral equals truth to many users, this controversy is a stark reminder that rumors spread faster than facts — and reputations can hang by a thread unless we demand better verification and digital responsibility from platforms and audiences alike.