#Factcheck-Allu Arjun visits Shiva temple after success of Pushpa 2? No, image is from 2017

Research Wing

Innovation and Research

PUBLISHED ON

Jan 4, 2025

Executive Summary:

Recently, a viral post on social media claiming that actor Allu Arjun visited a Shiva temple to pray in celebration after the success of his film, PUSHPA 2. The post features an image of him visiting the temple. However, an investigation has determined that this photo is from 2017 and does not relate to the film's release.

Claims:

The claim states that Allu Arjun recently visited a Shiva temple to express his thanks for the success of Pushpa 2, featuring a photograph that allegedly captures this moment.

Fact Check:

The image circulating on social media, that Allu Arjun visited a Shiva temple to celebrate the success of Pushpa 2, is misleading.

After conducting a reverse image search, we confirmed that this photograph is from 2017, taken during the actor's visit to the Tirumala Temple for a personal event, well before Pushpa 2 was ever announced. The context has been altered to falsely connect it to the film's success. Additionally, there is no credible evidence or recent reports to support the claim that Allu Arjun visited a temple for this specific reason, making the assertion entirely baseless.

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Before sharing viral posts, take a brief moment to verify the facts. Misinformation spreads quickly and it’s far better to rely on trusted fact-checking sources.

Conclusion:

The claim that Allu Arjun visited a Shiva temple to celebrate the success of Pushpa 2 is false. The image circulating is actually from an earlier time. This situation illustrates how misinformation can spread when an old photo is used to construct a misleading story. Before sharing viral posts, take a moment to verify the facts. Misinformation spreads quickly, and it is far better to rely on trusted fact-checking sources.

Claim: The image claims Allu Arjun visited Shiva temple after Pushpa 2’s success.
Claimed On: Facebook
Fact Check: False and Misleading

PUBLISHED ON

Jan 4, 2025

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#FactCheck: Viral video claims Ahmedabad plane crash but actually a Hollywood Movie Clip

June 23, 2025

Executive Summary:

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A viral video claiming the crash site of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad has misled many people online. The video has been confirmed not to be from India or a recent crash, but was filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood on a TV or movie set meant to look like a plane crash set piece for a movie.

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Claim:

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A video that purportedly shows the wreckage of Air India Flight AI-171 after crashing in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has circulated among social media users. The video shows a large amount of aircraft wreckage as well as destroyed homes and a scene reminiscent of an emergency, making it look genuine.

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Fact check:

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In our research, we took screenshots from the viral video and used reverse image search, which matched visuals from Universal Studios Hollywood. It became apparent that the video is actually from the most famous “War of the Worlds" set, located in Universal Studios Hollywood. The set features a 747 crash scene that was constructed permanently for Steven Spielberg's movie in 2005. We also found a YouTube video. The set has fake smoke poured on it, with debris scattered about and additional fake faceless structures built to represent a scene with a larger crisis. Multiple videos on YouTube here, here, and here can be found from the past with pictures of the tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Boeing 747 crash site, made for a movie.

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The Universal Studios Hollywood tour includes a visit to a staged crash site featuring a Boeing 747, which has unfortunately been misused in viral posts to spread false information.

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While doing research, we were able to locate imagery indicating that the video that went viral, along with the Universal Studios tour footage, provided an exact match and therefore verified that the video had no connection to the Ahmedabad incident. A side-by-side comparison tells us all we need to know to uncover the truth.

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Conclusion:

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The viral video claiming to show the aftermath of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad is entirely misleading and false. The video is showing a fictitious movie set from Universal Studios Hollywood, not a real disaster scene in India. Spreading misinformation like this can create unnecessary panic and confusion in sensitive situations. We urge viewers to only trust verified news and double-check claims before sharing any content online.

Claim: Massive explosion and debris shown in viral video after Air India crash.‍
Claimed On: Social Media‍
Fact Check: False and Misleading

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India’s New SIM-Linked Messaging Regulations - A Major Initiative to Curb Cybercrime at Its Roots

December 6, 2025

Introduction

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The digital communication landscape in India is set to change significantly as the Department of Telecommunications is preparing to implement new rules for messaging apps that operate using SIM cards. This step is part of the government’s effort to tackle cybercrime at its roots by enforcing stricter verification and reducing the number of communication platforms that can be misused. One clear change that users will notice is that WhatsApp Web sessions will now be automatically logged out every six hours, disrupting the previously uninterrupted use across multiple devices. Although this may appear to be a simple inconvenience, the measure is part of a broader plan to address the growing problem of cyber fraud. Cybercriminals exploit messaging apps like WhatsApp without keeping the registered SIM in the device, making it difficult to trace fraud. These efforts are surely gonna address these challenges at the root.

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The Incident: What Has Changed?

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The new regulations will make it mandatory for messaging platforms to create a direct link between user accounts and verified SIM identities. By this method, every account in the network can be associated with a valid and traceable mobile number. Because of this requirement, it is expected that WhatsApp is going to tighten the management of device sessions. The six-hour logout cycle for WhatsApp Web is implemented to prevent long-lived and unmonitored sessions that are sometimes taken advantage of in account takeovers, device-based breaches, and remote access scams. This change significantly affects the user experience. WhatsApp Web, often used for communication, customer support, and coordination, will now require more frequent authentication through mobile devices. Though mobile access remains uninterrupted, desktop and browser-linked sessions will be subjected to tighter security controls.

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Why Identity-Linked Messaging Matters

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India is facing a rapidly evolving cybercrime ecosystem in which messaging applications play a central role. Scammers often rely on fake, unverified, or illegally obtained SIM cards to create temporary accounts that can be used for various illegal activities, such as sending phishing messages, impersonating government officials, and deceiving victims through call centres set up for scams.

The new rules take into consideration the following main issues:

Anonymity of accounts makes large-scale fraud possible: Criminals operate bulk scams using hundreds of SIM-linked accounts.
Freedom to drop identities: Illegal SIMs are discarded after fraud, making it difficult for the police to trace the criminals.
Multi-device vulnerabilities that last for a long time: Access without permission to WhatsApp Web sessions that last for a long time is seen as the main reason for OTP theft, account hijacking, and on-device social engineering.

The government wants to disrupt these foundations by enforcing stricter traceability.

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A Sector Under Strain: Misuse of Messaging Platforms

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Messaging apps have turned out to be the most important thing in India's digital life, from communication to enterprise. This very widespread use of messaging apps has made them an easy target for cybercriminals.

The scams that are frequently visible are:

WhatsApp groupsare used for job and loan scams
False communication from banks, government departments, and payment applications
Sextortion and blackmail through unverified accounts
Remote-access fraud with attackers who are watching WhatsApp Web sessions
Coordinated spread of false information and distribution of deepfake videos

The employment of AI-generated personas and "SIM farms" has made it harder to secure the systems even more. Unless there is a very strict linking of users to authenticated SIM credentials, the platforms might degenerate into uncontrollable rafts of cybercrime.

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Government and Regulatory Response

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The Department of Telecommunications is initiating a process of stricter compliance measures and cooperating with the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. The main points of the directions include the following:

Identity verification linked to a SIM is mandatory for the creation of messaging accounts
Device re-authentication on platforms often starts with WhatsApp Web
Coordination with the telecom operators to the extent of getting suspicious login patterns
Protocols for the sharing of data with law enforcement in the course of cybercrime investigations
Compliance checks of digital platforms to verify adherence to national safety guidelines

This coordinated effort reflects the understanding that the security of communication platforms is the responsibility of both the regulators and the service providers.

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The Bigger Picture: Strengthening India’s Digital Trust

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The fresh regulations are in step with the worldwide trend where the platforms of messaging have to be more responsible, as governments are demanding more and more from them. The same discussions are going on in the EU, UK, and certain Southeast Asian regions.

For India, it is imperative to enhance identity management because:

The nation has the largest base of messaging users in the whole world
Cybercrime is increasing at a rate quicker than that of traditional crime
Digital government services rely on communications that are secure
Identity integrity is the basis for trust in online transactions and digital payments

The six-hour logout policy for WhatsApp Web is a small action, but it is an indication of a bigger transformation towards a regulation that is active rather than just policing that is reactive.

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What Needs to Happen Next?

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The implementation of SIM-linked regulations must involve several subsequent measures to make them effective.

Strengthening Digital Literacy: It is necessary to educate users about the benefits of frequent logouts and security improvements.
Ensuring Privacy Protections: The DPDP Act should create a strong barrier against the misuse of personal data in identity-linked messaging that will be implemented.
Collaboration with Platforms: Messaging services should seek to secure authentication under the compromise of safety checks.
Monitoring SIM fraud at the source: Illicit SIM provisioning enforcement is the main source of criminals, not just changing their methods.
Continuous Review and Feedback: Policymaking needs to keep pace with real-life difficulties and new inventions in technology.

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Conclusion

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India's announcement to impose regulations on messaging apps with SIM linkage is a major step forward in preventing cybercrime from occurring in the first place. Although the immediate effect, like the six-hour logout requirement for WhatsApp Web, may annoy users, it is nevertheless part of a bigger goal: to develop a more secure and trustworthy digital communication environment.

Securing the communication that links millions of people is vital as India becomes more and more digital. Through a combination of regulatory measures, technological protection, and user education, the country is headed toward a time when criminals in the cyber world will find it very difficult to operate and where consumers will be able to interact online with much more confidence and safety.

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References

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Agentic AI in Indian Business: Ushering in the Third Wave of Artificial Intelligence

May 5, 2025

The world of Artificial Intelligence is entering a new phase with the rise of Agentic AI, often described as the third wave of AI evolution. Unlike earlier systems that relied on static models (that learn from the information that is fed) and reactive outputs, Agentic AI introduces intelligent agents that can make decisions, take initiative, and act autonomously in real time. These systems are designed to require minimal human oversight while actively collaborating and learning continuously. Such capabilities indicate an incoming shift, especially in the ways in which Indian businesses can function. For better understanding, Agentic AI is capable of streamlining operations, personalising services, and driving innovations at scale.

India and Agentic AI

Building as we go, India is making continuous strides in the AI revolution- deliberating on government frameworks, and simultaneously adapting. At Microsoft's Pinnacle 2025 summit in Hyderabad, India's pivotal role in shaping the future of Agentic AI was brought to the spotlight. With over 17 million developers on GitHub and ambitions to become the world's largest developer community by 2028, India's tech talent is gearing up to lead global AI innovations. Microsoft's Azure AI Foundry, also highlighted the country's growing influence in the AI landscape.

Indian companies are actively integrating Agentic AI into their operations to enhance efficiency and customer experience. Zomato is leveraging AI agents to optimise delivery logistics, ensuring timely and efficient service. Infosys has developed AI-driven copilots to assist developers in code generation, reducing development time, requiring fewer people to work on a particular project, and improving software quality.

As per a report by Deloitte, the Indian AI market is projected to grow potentially $20 billion by 2028. However, this is accompanied by significant challenges. 92% of Indian executives identify security concerns as the primary obstacle to responsible AI usage. Additionally, regulatory uncertainties and privacy risks associated with sensitive data were also highlighted.

Challenges in Adoption

Despite the enthusiasm, several barriers hinder the widespread adoption of Agentic AI in India:

Skills Gap: While the AI workforce is expected to grow to 1.25 million by 2027, the current growth rate of 13% is considered to be insufficient with respect to the demands of the market.
Data Infrastructure: Effective AI systems require robust, structured, and accessible datasets. Many organisations lack the necessary data maturity, leading to flawed AI outputs and decision-making failures.
Trust and Governance: Building trust in AI systems is crucial. Concerns over data privacy, ethical usage, and regulatory compliance require robust governance frameworks to ensure the adoption of AI in a responsible manner.
Looming fear of job loss: As AI continues to take up more sophisticated roles, a general feeling of hesitancy with respect to the loss of employment/human labour might come in the way of adopting such measures.
Outsourcing: Currently, most companies prefer outsourcing or buying AI solutions rather than building them in-house. This gives rise to the issue of adapting to evolving needs.

The Road Ahead

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To fully realise the potential of Agentic AI, India must address the following challenges :

Training the Workforce: Initiatives and workshops tailored for employees that provide AI training can prove to be helpful. Some relevant examples are Microsoft’s commitment to provide AI training to 2 million individuals by 2025 and Infosys's in-house AI training programs.
Data Readiness: Investing in modern data infrastructure and promoting data literacy are essential to improve data quality and accessibility.
Establishing Governance Frameworks: Developing clear regulatory guidelines and ethical standards will foster trust and facilitate responsible AI adoption. Like the IndiaAI mission, efforts regarding evolving technology and keeping up with it are imperative.

Agentic AI holds unrealised potential to transform India's business landscape when coupled with innovation and a focus on quality that enhances global competitiveness. India is at a position where by proactively addressing the existing challenges, this potential can be realised and set the foundation for a new technological revolution (along with in-house development), solidifying its position as a global AI leader.

#Factcheck-Allu Arjun visits Shiva temple after success of Pushpa 2? No, image is from 2017

Executive Summary:

Claims:

Fact Check:

Conclusion:

Related Blogs

Executive Summary:

Claim:

Fact check:

Conclusion:

Introduction

The Incident: What Has Changed?

Why Identity-Linked Messaging Matters

A Sector Under Strain: Misuse of Messaging Platforms

Government and Regulatory Response

‍

The Bigger Picture: Strengthening India’s Digital Trust

What Needs to Happen Next?

Conclusion

References

India and Agentic AI

Challenges in Adoption

The Road Ahead

References

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