The viral video is not related to Skybags by VIP. It is edited by adding the Skybags logo to its end. The video is a recreation video of a song from a Malayalam movie.
Recently social media has witnessed an increase of several allegations of ‘Love Jihad’ claims. A video showing a love story between a Hindu woman and a Muslim man interspersed with footage of VIP Industries’ ‘Skybag’ suitcases is trending now. The viral video is being shared with a false and communal claim that the suitcase manufacturer made an advertisement supporting love jihad.
A 0:55-second video clip allegedly showing a Muslim man and a Hindu woman loving each other and ending up changing the religious identity of the woman is shared widely with the hashtag ’boycott VIP bags’ with the claim that VIP bags advertisement in Malayalam promotes love jihad.
This video initially shows the woman in traditional wear with a bindi on her forehead and later in a long kurta. The man then removes the bindi from her forehead and drapes her dupatta over her head as a veil. The video ends with the logo of Sky Bags.
The caption of the viral post states, “Love Jihad Advt by Skybag in Kerala..very disturbing”. We should bycott VIP products immediately and spread the news all over India कंपनी को भी मालूम पड़ना चाहिए उनकी सेल्स 90% से drop honi चाहिए”
Another tweet with the caption “See how Skybag of VIP is promoting “Love Jihad” as such there is no relation of Skybags with the video matter, but the guy is shown removing Bindi & putting up Hizab on the girl. Need to oppose such ads. Boycott Skybag VIP products #BoycottSkybag #BoycottVIPBags
Fact Check-
The VIP Bags Twitter account is seen responding to one of the viral messages, emphasising that it is an unauthorized advertisement developed unlawfully using VIP and Skybags brand names tarnishing their image. The post further mentions “VIP Industries has not issued and has no connection with the person who has put this advertisement. VIP Industries has filed a police complaint against the same for unauthorized usage of its name and Trademarks”
What is the real video?
When searching for the video, we found it posted on the Instagram profile of Sumi Rashik. We also found a few photos posted on her page captured during the shoot of the viral video. Her profile says that she is an actress of Malayalam serials and a dancer. The actress is seen tagging the actor Vishnu K Vijayan in the posts related to the video. The viral video post credits the movie ‘Sufiyum Sujathayum’ as the audio of the viral video is from the mentioned movie. No mention of ‘Skybags’ is seen in the posts related to the viral video. Moreover, the original video also does not have the logo of Skybags at the end or anywhere in the video as seen in the viral video.
The viral video is not an advertisement for Skybags. It is a recreation video of a Vathikkalu Vellaripravu song from the movie ‘Sufiyum Sujathayum’ by the actor Vishnu K Vijayan and actress Sumi Rashik. Soofiyum Sujathayum is a 2020 Malayalam movie starring Aditi Rao Hydari and portrays the love story between a Hindu girl and a Muslim man.
Meanwhile the edited viral video has the logo of ‘Puffington Ghost’ in it. A search for the same led us to a now-deleted Facebook page. The cached version of the page showed that it had 8.8k followers with its bio saying “satire/parody”.
Conclusion-
Fact Crescendo found that the viral video is not related to Skybags by VIP. It is edited by adding the Sky Bags logo to its end. The video is a recreation video of a song from a Malayalam movie.
Title:Skybags by VIP has not made an ad promoting love jihad
Fact Check By: Usha Manoj
Result: False
