New Delhi – Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection for his publicity and personality rights, after unauthorised use of his identity surfaced across online platforms. His petition follows a similar move by his wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who also sought legal intervention earlier this week.
Actor seeks protection from misuse of persona
In his plea, Bachchan requested the court to restrain websites, YouTube channels, and digital platforms from using his image, name, likeness, and voice without permission. The petition highlights the circulation of AI-generated content, deepfakes, fake autographs, and merchandise that exploit his persona for commercial gain.
The matter was heard by Justice Tejas Karia, who noted that the court would soon pass an order. The bench also indicated it may direct intermediaries, including Google and other platforms, to take down infringing URLs once identified.
Growing trend of celebrity legal action
Abhishek’s legal move comes just days after Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a similar petition before the Delhi High Court. Her plea specifically sought protection against the creation and circulation of AI-generated pornographic content misusing her likeness.
The Delhi High Court has seen a spate of similar petitions in recent years. In 2022, Amitabh Bachchan secured judicial protection for his personality rights, while actors Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff also approached the court to prevent misuse of their identities.
What are personality rights?
Personality rights, often referred to as publicity rights, allow public figures to control how their name, image, voice, and personal attributes are commercially used. These rights gain increasing importance in the digital era, with the proliferation of deepfake technology, AI manipulation, and online impersonation.
Legal experts note that these rights are enforced in India through the Copyright Act, constitutional protections under Article 21, and common law remedies. Courts have begun to extend their scope to include AI-driven identity misuse, making them particularly relevant today.
Court’s response and next steps
The Delhi High Court has indicated its readiness to issue interim injunctions to protect Bachchan’s rights. Once the specific infringing links are identified, platforms may be directed to take them down. The matter has been listed for further hearing, signalling a significant step in the judiciary’s evolving stance on digital privacy and celebrity rights.