Fact Check: Did Odisha Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Make Sand Portrait of Filmmaker Subhash Ghai? Know the Truth Behind Viral Post
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently expressed heartfelt gratitude on social media for a stunning sand portrait he believed was a tribute from a world-renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. The high-definition image, which quickly went viral, appeared to show his likeness meticulously carved into a beach landscape. Here's the truth behind the viral post!
Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently sparked a wave of digital confusion after sharing an image of what appeared to be a hyper-realistic sand sculpture of himself. While Ghai publicly attributed the work to renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, the artist has since clarified that the "sculpture" is actually a product of artificial intelligence. The incident highlights the increasing difficulty in distinguishing between traditional craftsmanship and AI-generated content, even for industry veterans. Dharmendra Passes Away: Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Creates 5-Foot Sand Art To Pay Tribute to Veteran Actor (Watch Video).
Subhash Ghai Thanks Odisha’s Sudarsan Pattnaik for Sand Portrait
On Friday (March 27), the Taal director took to social media to express his gratitude for what he believed was a heartfelt tribute. Ghai shared a high-definition image featuring his likeness chiselled into sand, complete with his signature spectacles and a warm expression, set against a coastal backdrop.
"CAN'T BELIEVE IT," Ghai wrote in his post. He explained that a friend had sent him the image, claiming it was created by the Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik in Puri. Ghai praised the "perfection and affection" of the work, thanking the artist for the supposed masterpiece.
Subhash Ghai Shares Alleged Sand Portrait of Himself by Sudarsan Pattnaik - View Post
The Confusion
The post quickly went viral, drawing both admiration and scepticism. While many fans initially lauded the artwork, eagle-eyed social media users pointed out that the image lacked the natural textures and minor structural imperfections typical of real sand art.
The Clarification
Responding to the filmmaker’s post, Sudarsan Pattnaik issued a polite but firm clarification to set the record straight. Addressing Ghai as "Sir," Pattnaik expressed his gratitude for the filmmaker's kind words but noted that the image was not his creation."With due respect, I would like to share that the sand sculpture appears to be AI-generated, and there may have been a small misunderstanding or some incorrect information," Pattnaik stated. He emphasised that while he was honoured by the appreciation, the piece was digitally fabricated rather than physically sculpted. ‘Indian Idol 16’: Rakesh Bakshi Brings Anand Bakshi’s Glasses on Stage, Subhash Ghai Calls ‘Zindagi Ke Safar Mein’ His Favourite Song.
Sudarsan Pattnaik Says Viral Subhash Ghai Post Is Fake, AI-Generated
Grok Debunks the Viral Subhash Ghai Sand Portari Post
The mix-up underscores a growing trend of AI-generated media being mistaken for real-world achievements. In this instance, a gesture of goodwill was based on a digital fabrication, showcasing how easily misinformation can circulate when "too perfect" AI visuals are accepted at face value.
Fact check
Subhash Ghai shared a viral post claiming to feature a sand portrait of himself created by renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik
Sudarsan Pattnaik officially clarified that the artwork is an AI-generated image and not a physical sand sculpture
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2026 10:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).