A screenshot of a viral video and headlines in media reports claiming that a statue of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has been unveiled in New York’s Times Square. (Source: X/News 18/Hindustan Times/India TV/The Economic Times)
A Duroflex representative confirmed to Logically Facts that the video was created using CGI to advertise their mattresses.
Claim ID f79d452c
What is the claim?
An image circulating on social media purportedly shows a golden statue of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in New York’s Times Square, claiming a significant moment for Indian cricket. One such post (archived here) on
At the time of writing this article, the publication has obtained 190,200 views on the platform. You can view archived versions of similar posts. here and here.
Multiple major media outlets, including News 18, Hindustan Times, indian televisionand Economic timesThey also reported on the alleged statue, stating that it was “recently revealed.”
Screenshot of viral posts circulating on social media. (Source: X/Screenshot/Modified by Loically Facts)
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 on its official the iconic Times Square. This King’s Duty, we go global and make history! We are giving excellent sleep and excellent health to Virat Kohli. #GreatSleepGreatHealth #ViratKohli #worldcup #cricket #CGI (sic).”
The ‘CGI’ hashtag 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.
Screenshot of a Duroflex Instagram post indicating the viral clip is CGI.
(Source: Instagram/Duroflex/Screenshot)
Logically Facts contacted a representative of Duroflex (who wished to be identified as such), who confirmed that the video posted on their social networks was created using CGI and is an advertisement in which their national brand ambassador, Virat, appears. 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 had previously published similar CGI videos as advertisements, which can be viewed here, here, hereand here.
The verdict
A CGI video showing the statue of Virat Kohli in Times Square in New York, created by Duroflex as an advertisement, is circulating with the false claim that it depicts a real statue dedicated to the Indian cricketer.
