Amitabh Bachchan’s cyber crime alert no more, government withdraws callertune

The familiar and widely heard caller tune featuring the voice of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, which served as a public service announcement on cyber crime, has been officially withdrawn by the government. The decision comes after the campaign it was a part of concluded on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

For a considerable period, mobile users across India would hear the pre-recorded message before every outgoing call. This initiative was a part of a larger government-led awareness campaign designed to educate citizens about the growing threats of online scams and financial fraud. The tune served as a constant reminder to stay vigilant against fraudsters and their deceptive tactics.

While the campaign's intent was to raise awareness, its widespread and frequent use eventually led to public frustration. Many mobile users took to social media to express their annoyance, with some complaining that the prolonged message caused unnecessary delays, especially during emergency calls. This widespread sentiment even led to some users directing their frustration and criticism at Amitabh Bachchan himself.

The actor recently addressed the issue head-on when a user on X (formerly Twitter) trolled him for the caller tune. On Monday, June 23, in a witty and direct response, Bachchan shut down the criticism by clarifying his role. "Sarkar ko bolo bhai, unhone humse kaha so kiya (Tell the government, brother, they told me to do it, so I did)," he responded, effectively directing the feedback to the appropriate authorities and putting an end to the chatter.

The discontinuation of the caller tune marks the end of a unique public awareness effort that utilized the iconic voice of one of the country's most beloved actors. While it may have been a source of frustration for many, it undoubtedly reached a vast audience, delivering a crucial message about cyber security.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Amitabh Bachchan continues to have a packed schedule. He is set to appear in the upcoming film Section 84, which also stars Nimrat Kaur, Diana Penty, and Abhishek Banerjee. In addition, his fans can look forward to his roles in the highly anticipated second installments of both Brahmastra and Kalki 2898 AD.