Amitabh Bachchan’s Cybercrime Caller Tune Removed After Public Backlash Over Emergency Call Delays?

The government's cybercrime awareness caller tune featuring Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has officially been discontinued starting Thursday, following a wave of public complaints. The tune, which automatically played when users initiated phone calls, was part of a national campaign aimed at raising awareness about online fraud and cybercrime.

You Can't Listen to Amitabh Bachchan's Cybercrime Caller Tune! Know Reasons Below

According to sources cited by NDTV, the campaign has concluded, and the pre-recorded message has now been removed from telecom networks. "The campaign has come to an end and therefore, the caller tune will be removed from today," one source confirmed.

While the initiative was launched with the intention of spreading crucial cyber safety information, it faced growing criticism for acting as a barrier during emergencies, with users reporting delays in making urgent calls. Complaints had steadily increased in recent weeks, with many calling the awareness tune an unnecessary disruption.

The veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who lent his voice to the campaign, also faced trolling on social media. Earlier this week, he responded to online criticism, clarifying that he recorded the message at the government's request. "Sarkar ko bolo bhai, unhone jo kaha humne kar diya (Tell the government, I did what they asked)," Mr Bachchan replied to one user who asked him to stop speaking on phone lines.

In another exchange, when a user mocked his age, the actor responded sharply, quoting a Hindi proverb, "Jo satha, who patha (The older, the wiser)."

This is not the first time Mr Bachchan's public service announcements have drawn scrutiny. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also voiced a coronavirus precautionary caller tune, which led to a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court. Critics had then questioned the appropriateness of his voice in the message, especially after some members of his family had tested positive for the virus.

The cybercrime caller tune was part of the Centre's broader digital safety campaign as cyber fraud cases rise across India. While the awareness push has now ended, the controversy highlights the challenge of balancing public messaging with user convenience in digital communication platforms.