Actor and host Faysal Quraishi recently voiced his concerns about the growing impact of AI on the entertainment industry, particularly on Pakistani drama serials. Speaking during his Ramazan transmission for a local channel, Quraishi discussed the emerging problem of AI manipulation in the form of doctored clips that misrepresent original scenes from popular TV shows, stressing how these manipulations are disrupting the integrity of the content and the perception of the dramas.
“Strange videos are circulating,” Quraishi said, referring to the increasing presence of AI-generated videos that distort the original context of scenes. These videos, he explained, often take popular drama scenes out of context or fabricate entirely new scenarios, creating confusion among viewers. “Our audience reaches out to us with questions about the manipulated scenes,” Quraishi remarked, “and we tell them that even we don’t know where this came from.” His comments reflect a growing concern in the entertainment sector, where the misuse of AI is becoming a significant issue for creators, actors, and production teams.
The rise of AI-generated content, particularly deepfakes, has stirred a wave of frustration among professionals in the entertainment industry. For actors and creators, the process of seeing their work distorted and re-shared—often with malicious intent—has proved to be a challenging and damaging experience. Quraishi acknowledged this problem, admitting, “These kinds of things are happening, to which we don’t have a solution right now.” His candid remarks underline the struggle the industry faces as AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible.
Quraishi’s concerns come at a time when the global entertainment industry is grappling with the implications of AI in content creation and manipulation. While AI has undoubtedly brought advancements in production quality and efficiency, it also poses significant risks when used to create fake content. This issue has already made headlines in Pakistan, where fabricated videos of well-known actors have gone viral on social media platforms, fueling public outrage and controversy.
Earlier this year, fabricated videos of Pakistani actors, including Bilal Abbas Khan and Durefishan Saleem from Ishq Murshid, and Danish Taimoor and Hiba Qadir from Jaan Nisar, surfaced on the internet. These manipulated clips, created using generative AI tools, falsely depicted the actors engaging in intimate on-screen moments that never actually took place. The spread of these AI-manipulated videos triggered widespread misinformation, and many fans were left confused about the authenticity of the content. In particular, a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) asked, “What has happened to Pakistan’s drama industry? It is breaking new records of nudity and obscenity.” The video amassed over 250,000 views, further amplifying the damage done by these manipulations.
The fabricated clips quickly drew the attention of Pakistan’s media regulatory body, PEMRA, which called for action in response to the incident. Meanwhile, reverse image searches of the videos revealed the original, unaltered scenes from Ishq Murshid and Jaan Nisar, clearly showing that no such intimate moments were ever part of the dramas. The authentic clips were posted by official accounts, providing undeniable proof of how AI manipulation had been used to mislead viewers.
Quraishi’s concerns also point to a broader issue of digital regulation and awareness in Pakistan. As AI tools continue to grow in sophistication and accessibility, the lines between real and fake content are becoming increasingly blurred. The ability to manipulate videos to create misleading narratives poses a serious threat to the credibility of the entertainment industry. As a prominent figure in Pakistan’s entertainment scene, Quraishi’s call for solutions to this problem highlights the urgent need for action from both industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
The conversation about AI in entertainment is also forcing the industry to re-evaluate its approach to digital content creation, dissemination, and regulation. AI tools are now so easily accessible that the power to create viral fake content is within the reach of anyone with the right technology. The risks associated with this technology are not just limited to misinformation but extend to damaging the reputations of actors and production teams, creating a climate of distrust among viewers.
As AI-generated content continues to evolve, its misuse in the entertainment sector is a challenge that demands urgent attention. Quraishi’s remarks serve as a wake-up call for the entertainment industry to not only develop countermeasures but also to engage in a broader conversation about how to protect the integrity of content in the digital age. For now, the industry seems to be at a crossroads, with the need for robust solutions and regulations more pressing than ever before.
