VD Satheesan deepfake video — Sep 2026

A satirical AI-generated video featuring Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan dancing with Kerala State Electricity Board employees was removed by Meta in India following a complaint. The video, which had garnered millions of views, was created by the Thrissur-based firm Reach You Dot In and published on their 'AI Kavala' social media page to satirize power cuts in the region.

What happened

The video utilized AI-generated visuals to depict the Chief Minister performing dance moves alongside state employees. After the content went viral, the creators received a notification from Meta confirming the removal of the video within India due to a received complaint. While the firm stated they do not intend to challenge the removal, the incident prompted a public response from Chief Minister VD Satheesan.

Satheesan noted that he found the video humorous, joking that he appeared to be dancing better than prominent actors and political figures. However, he used the incident to highlight the significant legal challenges posed by synthetic media. Speaking at a seminar on law and technology, Satheesan questioned how existing legal frameworks can interpret creations generated by artificial intelligence. He emphasized that current laws must evolve to address the unauthorized use of an individual's identity, face, and movements. The incident has contributed to broader discussions regarding the regulation of deepfakes and the necessity for legal safeguards to protect individuals from the non-consensual use of their digital replicas.