A digitally manipulated image showing cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi hugging Bollywood actress Preity Zinta is being circulated widely across social media.
Accounts like @Republic_Bharat shared the photo with a dramatic caption:
“थोड़ा घबराए, थोड़ा शर्माए और फिर… जब प्रीति जिंटा ने वैभव सूर्यवंशी को गले लगाया तो क्या हुआ? आग की तरह वायरल हुआ VIDEO”
Other accounts such as @CrictipsIndia and @Sportstodayofc and news channel (republicbharat.com) also joined the trend, making false headlines and portraying the altered image as real.
Truth of cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi hugging Bollywood actress Preity Zinta
As soon as the viral post caught our attention, D-Intent Data conducted a detailed analysis. we did the keyframe search and our investigation confirmed that the image had been digitally altered and was not authentic. The original footage, available on the Rajasthan Royals’ official social media, shows a polite handshake—not a hug—between Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Preity Zinta.
Flex levels at school: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 😎💗 pic.twitter.com/IhGvZKzL3R
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 19, 2025
Even Preity Zinta herself addressed the issue, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is a morphed image and fake news. Am so surprised now news channels are also using morphed images and featuring them as news items!” — @realpreityzinta
This is a morphed image and fake news. Am so surprised now news channels are also using morphed images and featuring them as news items !
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) May 20, 2025
The picture that went viral has been tampered with. Preity Zinta described the image as misleading, and the original footage just shows a handshake.
After the image was debunked, the accounts involved in spreading the falsehood began deleting their posts:
- @Sportstodayofc deleted the tweet.
- @Republic_Bharat not only removed the post from their social media but also deleted the article from their official website.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) May 20, 2025
ANALYSIS: Fake
FACT: Digitally manipulated images allegedly showing cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi hugging Bollywood actress Preity Zinta are being circulated on social media, with many users and media outlets falsely claiming them to be authentic. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/OpIZZ2ImEr
Intent:
Influencers and media outlets are deliberately sharing morphed images to chase virality and stir up unnecessary buzz on social media. This type of digital misinformation is crafted to exploit public interest in celebrity culture and distort reality for attention and engagement.
Conclusion:
Claim: Vaibhav Suryavanshi hugged Preity Zinta during a public event.
Fact: The viral image is morphed. The original video shows only a handshake, and Preity Zinta herself has called out the image as fake news.
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