Social media influencer Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, on Wednesday released a detailed statement addressing a viral video that has been falsely linked to her online. Payal clarified that she is not the individual shown in the clip and that the video has no connection to her life, identity or personal choices.
Describing the episode as “distressing” and “personal”, Payal said, “Over the past few days, content has been circulated online that falsely associates my name and image with a video currently being shared on digital platforms. I want to state this clearly and without ambiguity: the individual depicted in that video is not me, and it has no connection to my life, my choices, or my identity.”
Payal Dhare is widely known for her gaming videos and live streams on YouTube. Hailing from a small village in Chhindwara near Indore, Madhya Pradesh, she has built a massive online following, with over 4.5 million subscribers on the platform.
In a social media post on Wednesday, she appealed to both the public and the media to “refrain from sharing, reproducing, or speculating about this material in any form.” She added, “Appropriate legal steps are being taken to address the misuse of my name and likeness, and to ensure accountability in accordance with the law.”
More about Payal Dhare
Payal rose to prominence as one of India’s most successful gaming creators and, last year, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other Indian gamers to discuss the future of gaming in the country. She was the only female gamer present at the interaction. “I had never imagined that I would become India’s leading female creator,” she had told the prime minister.
Despite her interest in gaming, Dhare has spoken about the limitations she faced early on. She said she “lacked the facilities at home” and added, “I did not have a personal mobile phone even in the 12th standard.”
She also told PM Modi that she learned the basics of gaming through her friend’s brothers, who would visit cyber cafes to play. “YouTube gaming was gaining popularity in India at the time. I thought I would give it a shot. I wanted to encourage other girls to opt for gaming as a career choice,” Dhare had said.
According to News24Online, Payal earns around USD 10,000 per month. Her estimated net worth ranges between ₹1 crore and ₹9 crore. Apart from her gaming career, she also owns a retail brand called Thriftxpayal.
The controversial video
Payal recently found herself at the centre of controversy after a video began circulating online, with claims suggesting that she was the woman featured in it. However, many of her fans have dismissed these allegations, with some alleging that the clip may be a deepfake.
Reports suggest that certain individuals are charging up to ₹5,000 for access to the video.
Under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, sharing obscene or objectionable content online is a punishable offence. A first conviction can attract a fine of up to ₹5 lakh or imprisonment for up to three years. Repeat offences may lead to a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
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