Mumbai, Jan 2 (NationPress) Renowned screenwriter Javed Akhtar has issued a warning of potential legal actions against individuals circulating a deepfake video of him that contains misleading claims.

On Thursday, Akhtar shared a detailed note on his X account, previously known as Twitter, in which he addressed the controversial video and clarified his stance.

He stated, “A fabricated video is being circulated featuring a computer-generated image of me wearing a topi, falsely suggesting that I have turned to God. This is absolute nonsense.”

He went on to express, “I am contemplating reporting this to the cyber police and ultimately taking legal action against the individual responsible for this fake news and those who share it, as it tarnishes my reputation and integrity.”

Recently, Javed Akhtar participated in a significant public debate with Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi in New Delhi, titled ‘Does God Exist?’ at the Constitution Club of India, moderated by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi. Akhtar, recognized for his secular and atheistic perspectives, challenged conventional theistic views, prompting discussions on faith, evidence, and reason.

In defense of theistic beliefs, Mufti Nadwi, trained in classical Islamic scholarship, utilized logic and philosophical arguments to support his views. The debate gained traction online, eliciting diverse reactions across social media from believers, agnostics, and secular thinkers. Some applauded the mufti’s arguments, while others found Akhtar’s secular reasoning compelling. This dialogue reignited broader discussions regarding faith, logic, and public discourse within the tapestry of India’s diverse society.

Previously, Javed Akhtar expressed his affection for his filmmaker daughter Zoya Akhtar in a touching birthday message, reminiscing about her birth. He was initially married to Honey Irani, with whom he shares two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, before marrying acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi in 1984.