Furore over Shiv Sena (UBT) using AI to recreate Bal Thackeray’s voice

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) for recreating the voice of late party founder Bal Thackeray using artificial intelligence, calling the move “demeaning”.
Speaking to reporters the other day, Shinde accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of betraying the ideals of Bal Thackeray. “Nobody will stay with the Shiv Sena (UBT) because Uddhav Thackeray has 'betrayed' his father's ideals,” he said.

“We freed the Shiv Sena from the clutches of the Congress. They (Uddhav Thackeray and his party) were not only dislodged from power, but also from the minds of people. If they have any shame left, they should not resort to such childish acts and demean Balasaheb. Do not behave in a way that will hurt Balasaheb,” Shinde added.

Shinde, who led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, had parted ways with the Shiv Sena to form a new government with the BJP’s backing.

Sanjay Raut’s take 
In response to his remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said those who had “formed a fake Shiv Sena using the Sena founder's name” had no right to comment. Raut also pointed out that AI-generated voice clips of Bal Thackeray had been used at a party event the previous month as well, stating, “There was nothing new in it.”

On Wednesday, during a Sena (UBT) rally in Nashik, a 13-minute speech mimicking the voice of Bal Thackeray was played, complete with some of his iconic expressions.
Reacting to the development, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule described the move on X as a “childish stunt.”

Rane hits out at Uddhav
Former Union minister Narayan Rane also weighed in on the controversy. “Uddhav Thackeray has all the audio and video clips of late Balasaheb Thackeray, but what is the point in playing an AI-generated video in Nashik. He never implemented his father's thoughts and dragged his party in the wrong direction,” he said.

“I served in the Sena for 39 years and I still consider Balasaheb Thackeray as my guru. But Uddhav is nowhere close to his father when it comes to leading an organisation and supporting his party workers. I am ready to discuss Shiv Sena and Balasaheb's teachings with Uddhav on any public platform,” Rane added.

PTI