New Delhi: Actor Prakash Raj has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his interaction with an artificial intelligence (AI) hologram of spiritual leader Swami Chinmayananda, calling the episode a gimmick and accusing political leaders of using religion to influence people. His remarks, shared in a video on social media, triggered sharp reactions from both critics and supporters of the Prime Minister.
Raj, known for his outspoken criticism of Modi, posted the video on X on October 26. In it, the actor questioned the purpose of the Prime Minister’s conversation with the AI-generated representation of the late spiritual leader. He also argued that the country faced more pressing issues that required the government’s attention.
The video quickly attracted attention online, with some users supporting Raj’s criticism and others dismissing his comments or responding with personal attacks.
Prakash Raj questions Modi’s AI interaction
In the video, Raj appeared to mock the use of AI to recreate the presence of a spiritual leader who died years ago. He questioned why the Prime Minister was shown conversing with an AI-generated representation and described the interaction as an attempt to use religious sentiment for political purposes.
“Hello, my friend, what is this? AI. You’re also calling it AI. So you brought a Swamiji on AI, that too from Kerala,” Raj said in the video.
He went on to accuse people in positions of influence of misusing religion, while sarcastically referring to the hologram’s blessings and conversation with Modi.
Raj also brought up earlier public discussions involving the Prime Minister, including references to his educational qualifications, a mathematical expression and his remarks about cloud technology and being “non-biological”.
The actor used these references to question what he described as the growing use of spectacle and unusual claims in political communication.
“What’s happening, brother?” he asked rhetorically towards the end of the first part of his criticism.
The video was accompanied by a post on X in which Raj wrote: “Fraand … you and a dead swamiji in conversation on AI ?. Deadlyyyyy #justasking”.
The post was published on October 26 and became the focal point of the online discussion surrounding the Prime Minister’s AI interaction.
‘Even your followers are laughing’, says actor
Raj’s criticism extended beyond the AI interaction itself. He claimed that even some of Modi’s staunch supporters were laughing at the episode and questioned whether the presentation was convincing.
“Even your andhbhakt are not believing. They’re laughing,” he said, using a term commonly employed in political debates to refer to unquestioning supporters.
The actor then shifted his focus to issues he believes deserve greater attention from the government.
“There are bigger issues in the country. You’ve been alleged of vote chori. Handle it,” Raj said.
His reference to alleged vote theft was a political accusation rather than an established finding presented in the video. The post did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
Raj concluded his remarks by saying that neither the country’s deities nor its citizens could be fooled, before urging the Prime Minister to stop what he called “nautanki” and change his approach.
The comments reflect Raj’s longstanding public criticism of the Prime Minister and the ruling establishment. His political posts frequently generate debate on social media, where supporters and opponents of the government often respond in sharply contrasting terms.
Social media divided over the remarks
The video drew a range of reactions from users on X. Some agreed with Raj and questioned the political purpose of using an AI-generated spiritual figure, while others criticised the actor for targeting Modi.
One user supported Raj’s broader criticism of the Prime Minister’s public image, arguing that AI was being used to improve his political presentation. The comment also included criticism of Modi’s popularity and made further political claims.
Another user responded with a brief reference to the “dead revolution of comrades”, apparently taking a dig at Raj’s political views.
A third commenter used the word “fraaands” in a sarcastic reply, telling Raj that protests should take place on the streets so he could enjoy his overseas holidays. Another user mocked the actor’s repeated use of the phrase “just asking” and suggested that his criticism would not attract the Prime Minister’s attention.
The responses illustrate how political discussions on social media can quickly become personal, moving beyond the original issue to arguments about ideology, public figures and political loyalties.
The comments quoted in the discussion represent individual users’ opinions. They do not, by themselves, establish wider public sentiment or indicate how the public as a whole has reacted.
AI-generated spiritual figures raise questions
The episode has also drawn attention to the growing use of artificial intelligence to recreate the appearance or voice of people who are no longer alive.
AI-generated holograms and digital representations can be used for educational presentations, cultural events, historical demonstrations and other public engagements. They can allow audiences to interact with a simulated representation of a person, although the interaction is generated by technology rather than by the individual themselves.
When such representations involve religious figures, however, the presentation can raise questions about authenticity, religious sentiment and the distinction between a historical personality and a digital recreation.
In this case, Raj objected to the Prime Minister’s interaction with the AI hologram of Swami Chinmayananda and questioned its relevance in the context of the country’s political priorities.
The criticism centres on how the technology was used and the message conveyed by the interaction. The presence of an AI-generated representation does not, on its own, establish that the technology was intended to deceive viewers. Its purpose and context need to be assessed separately from the political reactions it has generated.
Prakash Raj’s criticism adds to political debate
Prakash Raj has frequently used social media to express his views on national politics and to criticise Modi and the BJP-led government. His comments often attract responses from users across the political spectrum.
The latest video follows the same pattern, with the actor using satire and sarcasm to question a public appearance involving the Prime Minister.
For Raj, the central issue is not simply the technology itself but what he sees as the use of religious sentiment and political presentation at a time when other national concerns require attention.
Modi’s supporters, meanwhile, have pushed back against Raj’s criticism in the online discussion, with some attacking his political position rather than engaging directly with his questions about the AI interaction.
The controversy highlights the increasingly polarised nature of political conversations on social media, where a single video can quickly become a wider argument about leadership, religion, technology and public accountability.
A viral exchange fuelled by political differences
Raj’s remarks about Modi’s conversation with the AI hologram of Swami Chinmayananda have turned the interaction into a fresh social media controversy.
The actor described the episode as a gimmick, accused political leaders of exploiting religious sentiment and argued that the government should focus on more important issues. His comments drew support from some users and criticism from others, with the debate extending into personal and ideological exchanges.
While the video has generated considerable online discussion, the reactions remain divided. The controversy ultimately reflects a broader disagreement over the use of emerging technology in political communication and how such public appearances should be interpreted.
For now, Raj’s post has added another episode to his continuing public criticism of the Prime Minister, with the debate over AI, religion and politics playing out across social media.