A Duroflex representative confirmed to Logically Facts that the video was created using CGI to advertise their mattresses.
What is the claim?
An image circulating on social media shows a golden statue of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in Times Square, New York, claiming a significant moment for Indian cricket. One such post (archived here) on X (formerly Twitter) shared a screenshot of the video which read, “Virat Kohli’s statue in Times Square should be declared the 8th wonder of the world.”
At the time of writing this article, the publication has obtained 190,200 views on the platform. Archived versions of similar posts can be seen here and here.
Several major media outlets, including News 18, Hindustan Times, India TV and Economic Times, have also reported on the alleged statue, claiming that it was “recently unveiled.”
However, our investigation reveals that the video is actually an advertisement created by Duroflex, a mattress company, using CGI (computer generated imagery).
We found?
A reverse search of the viral image led us to a video uploaded by Duroflex to its official in the iconic Times Square. This King’s Duty, we are going global and making history! We are giving great sleep and great health to Virat Kohli. #GreatSleepGreatHealth #ViratKohli #worldcup #cricket #CGI (sic).”
The hashtag “CGI” indicates that it was computer generated. CGI is a technology that uses graphics to enhance images and videos for visual representation.
The video was also shared on his Instagram account (archived here) and his YouTube channel (archived here), clearly stating that it is CGI.
Logically Facts contacted a Duroflex representative (who asked to be identified as such), who confirmed that the video posted on their social media was created using CGI and is an ad featuring their national brand ambassador, Virat Kohli. Duroflex signed Kohli as its brand ambassador on May 15, 2023.
We also checked live footage of New York’s Times Square on YouTube, streamed by Earthcam, but found no evidence of the Kohli statue, further confirming that the video was digitally created and not real.
Additionally, we discovered that Duroflex has previously released similar CGI videos as advertisements, which can be seen here, here, here, and here.
The verdict
A CGI video showing Virat Kohli’s statue in Times Square in New York, created by Duroflex as an advertisement, is circulating with the false claim that it depicts an actual statue dedicated to the Indian cricketer.
(This report first appeared on logicallyfacts.com and was republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. ABP Live edited the title and main image of the report when publishing it)
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