The controversy began when the altered photo was shared widely, with accompanying claims that Akhtar had a change of heart and was now aligning himself with religious beliefs. The misleading post cited a recent debate in which Akhtar, known for his rationalist views, was reportedly defeated by Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi in a discussion about the existence of God.
In response, Akhtar took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, stating that the image was a "deepfake" and a blatant lie. "A fake video is being circulated on social media, in which a fake image of me, created by computer, is being shown. In that image, a cap has been placed on my head and it is being falsely claimed that I have finally turned towards God. This is complete nonsense and a lie," Akhtar wrote.
He further emphasized his seriousness about the issue, revealing plans to take legal steps. "I am extremely serious about this matter and am seriously considering filing a complaint with the cyber police regarding this fake news. Additionally, whoever is responsible for creating and spreading this false video, and those who have further propagated it, I intend to take legal action against them and bring them to court for damaging my image, reputation, and credibility," he added.
The incident follows a highly publicized debate between Akhtar and Mufti Shamail Nadwi, where Akhtar argued against the existence of God, while Nadwi presented counterarguments supporting his belief in God. While the debate was a constructive exchange of ideas, the altered image and its false narrative have caused widespread confusion and outrage.
This controversy highlights the growing challenges posed by deepfake technology and its potential to damage public figures’ reputations. Akhtar's response underscores the increasing need for digital literacy and legal accountability in combating misinformation online.
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