Viral image of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi holding a cigarette is AI-generated

What is the claim? 

A black-and-white photograph purportedly showing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi smoking has circulated widely on social media, with claims that it dates back to her youth. The image depicts Gandhi leaning against a pole, cigarette in hand, and wearing a head covering.

The picture was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user Bhagwa Kranti (archived here), who offered a reward for identifying the person in the photo. The caption alludes to a financial scheme mentioned in the Congress' 2024 election manifesto, often referenced by BJP leaders and supporters. Archived versions of similar posts with the image can be found here, here, and here.

Screenshots of the viral image on X. (Source: X/ Modified by Logically Facts)

Upon investigation, however, it was discovered that Gandhi's face has been digitally superimposed onto an original photo first uploaded to Tumblr in 2013.

What we found

The alteration appears to have been made using 'Remaker,' an AI content generator tool known for its ability to manipulate images and videos. A visible 'Remaker' watermark in the bottom left corner of the viral image suggests that the facial features were digitally altered.

The ‘Remaker’ watermark in the viral image. (Source: X/ Screenshot)

Further scrutiny revealed discrepancies in the photo's composition, particularly noticeable in the unrealistic sheen on Gandhi's face, a common artifact of AI-generated images.

A reverse image search led to an identical photo on Tumblr (archived here), originally credited to photographer Farzad Sarfarazi in 2012, titled 'Ghazal.' This original image clearly shows a different woman, not Gandhi, and includes Sarfarazi's watermark.

The viral image (L) was traced to a Tumblr (R) post by Farzad Sarfarazi in 2012. (Source: X/Tumblr/Screenshot)

Similar versions of the photo crediting Sarfarazi have surfaced on other platforms like Instagram and X, claiming it was taken in Iran. However, the exact location and the identity of the woman in the photograph remain unverified.

The verdict 

Our investigation confirms that the image allegedly depicting Sonia Gandhi smoking has been digitally altered. The face in the original photo was replaced using Remaker, an AI tool designed for creative content manipulation.

(Translated by Vanita Ganesh.)