The government’s cyber fraud awareness caller tune voiced by megastar Amitabh Bachchan is likely to be pulled down soon, as per sources, as the pre-decided campaign duration nears its end. The move comes amid growing public irritation and concerns that the tone causes delays during emergency calls.
The automated message, which plays every time a user places a call, was launched as part of the Centre’s initiative to curb rising digital scams. While the intention behind the campaign was preventive, it has drawn flak from users who found the tone intrusive or time-consuming, especially during urgent situations.
According to official sources, the campaign was always meant to run for a limited time. With the duration almost complete, the discontinuation of the tune is expected shortly, though an official timeline has not been announced.
Public fatigue and emergency concerns
Several users raised the issue that the tone prevented immediate call connection during emergencies. What was meant to be a public service announcement became, for many, an unwanted hurdle.
Big B faces the heat
The backlash recently found its way to social media, where Amitabh Bachchan became a target of online trolling. One user sarcastically replied to the actor’s post on X saying, “Toh phone pe bolna band kro bhay (So stop saying it on the phone).” In response, Bachchan clarified, “Sarkar ko bolo bhai, unhone jo kaha humne kar diya (Tell the government, I just did what they asked).”
When another user took a jibe at his age, calling him “senile,” the veteran responded with wit: “Ek din, Bhagwan naa kare voh din jaldi aaye, jab aap bhi sathiya jaaye, parantu humare yaha ek kahawat hai, ‘jo satha wo patha’ (God forbid that day comes soon, but one day you too will grow old. As they say, the older, the wiser).”
