As Delhi inches closer to the Assembly elections on February 5, 2025, political parties are pulling out all stops to capture the youth vote. The latest twist? AI-driven, pop-culture-infused political ads. And leading the charge is Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with a Harry Potter-themed campaign featuring Arvind Kejriwal as ‘The Chosen One’, battling BJP’s so-called ‘Death Eaters’ to “protect Delhi’s future.”
Kejriwal as the ‘Wizard’ of Delhi’s Education System
AAP’s AI-generated video Phir Layenge Kejriwal sets the tone for this digital-age election drama. Kejriwal, cast as Harry Potter, takes center stage, with Manish Sisodia and Atishi Marlena portrayed as professors guiding him.
The video’s opening line spells out a dire warning: “Delhi mai mandra raha hai bhayankar khatra, baccho ke school khodane aa rahe hain BJP ke Death Eaters.” Translated, it claims that an ominous danger is looming over Delhi’s schools, as BJP, represented as the dark forces, is out to dismantle the education system.
Kejriwal, wand in hand, is seen casting protective spells over schools, urging voters to support AAP to ensure Delhi’s education sector remains untouched.
A striking image in the ad? Amit Shah depicted as one of the ‘Death Eaters’, reinforcing AAP’s narrative that BJP’s policies pose a threat to Delhi’s progress—a direct reference to the infamous followers of Voldemort from J.K. Rowling’s universe.
AI Deepfakes, Memes, and the Legal Grey Area
AAP’s AI-powered political satire is already making waves—and not all for the right reasons. With at least four FIRs filed against the party for using AI-generated images and videos of BJP leaders in satirical contexts, the campaign is under legal scrutiny.
But AAP isn’t backing down. The party has pushed deepfake videos featuring BJP leaders into viral territory, embedding their faces into famous pop-culture moments to drive home political messages.
Some notable examples:
- Squid Game Parody: BJP leaders trapped in a game of survival, hinting at their alleged mismanagement.
- Delhi Belly Scene: AAP’s satirical spin suggests BJP’s promises are nothing but—well, “shit.”
Meanwhile, BJP has counterattacked with its own AI-driven political content. The Delhi’s Got Latent campaign, a play on India’s Got Talent, portrays Kejriwal as a contestant. AAP fired back with BJP Got Latent, casting Kejriwal as comedian Samay Raina, and dubbing BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri as ‘Ramesh Gaalibaaz’, a direct jab at his controversial remarks.
What’s striking is that neither party appears to have obtained rights or permissions to use celebrity likenesses or pop culture references, raising serious copyright and intellectual property concerns.
Youth-Centric Strategy: Is AI the New Political War Room?
Delhi’s electorate is younger than ever, with 25.89 lakh voters aged 20-29 as per the Election Commission of India. These voters consume memes, short-form videos, and pop culture references more than traditional political messaging.
Political strategist Ankit Jain notes that “engagement, not ideology, is the key to winning young voters.” In this election, AI-generated content has become a primary battleground for both AAP and BJP.
Why is this shift happening?
- Social media algorithms favor viral content—memes and AI-generated videos fit the bill.
- Short attention spans mean parties must entertain to engage.
- Traditional speeches and manifestos feel outdated to younger voters.
AAP, often seen as tech-savvy, has been leveraging AI-generated political content at scale, while BJP is matching the strategy with counterattacks.
The Ethical and Legal Question: Where Does AI-Driven Propaganda End?
The rise of AI-generated political ads opens a Pandora’s box of ethical dilemmas. Misinformation, deepfakes, and satirical manipulation blur the lines between truth and fiction in political discourse.
A key concern? Deepfakes can be indistinguishable from reality. While these AI-driven videos are clearly satirical, the technology has the potential to mislead voters if misused.
Another issue? Intellectual property rights.
- Samay Raina’s likeness was used in an AAP ad—without apparent consent.
- Scenes from Bollywood films and international series are being repurposed—without clear licensing.
Legal experts argue that India’s copyright laws haven’t fully caught up with AI-generated content. Political parties are operating in a grey area, where parody and political satire might provide some protection, but unauthorized usage could lead to legal action.
2025 Delhi Elections: The AI Experiment
This election is turning into a test case for how AI-generated content can shape voter perception. Instead of traditional speeches, rallies, and manifestos, the focus has shifted to AI memes, deepfakes, and pop-culture mashups.
What’s clear?
- AI-driven content is here to stay—this won’t be the last election where AI battles AI.
- Political communication is evolving—parties are no longer just competing on policies; they’re fighting for digital mindshare.
- Legal frameworks remain unclear—but expect more lawsuits and FIRs as AI-powered political campaigns intensify.
With Delhi’s 2025 Assembly elections just a day away, the digital battleground is more unpredictable than ever. Whether Kejriwal’s AI wizardry sways voters or BJP’s counter-campaign proves more effective will be known soon enough.
