The Delhi and Bombay High Courts are witnessing a surge in cases from top Bollywood celebrities seeking urgent legal protection for their digital identities. This legal movement highlights a growing crisis in the entertainment industry, where artificial intelligence (AI) and social media are being weaponised to exploit famous names and likenesses without permission.
Stars Turn to Judiciary for Digital Protection
The latest A-lister to join this legal battle is actor Hrithik Roshan. He has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, seeking protection for his name, image, likeness, voice, and other personal attributes from unauthorised commercial exploitation. His petition targets several known and unknown entities, including unnamed individuals (John Does), who have allegedly used his identity for profit. The court, with Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora presiding, is scheduled to hear the matter.
In a parallel development, Akshay Kumar has approached the Bombay High Court with a similar suit. He is seeking protection of his personality rights against unknown individuals and entities allegedly using AI to infringe upon them. His case is also slated for a hearing.
A Growing List of Celebrity Petitions
This trend is not new but has gained critical momentum in recent years. The Bachchan family has been particularly proactive:
- In September 2025, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a petition to stop the unauthorised commercial use of her name, voice, image, and likeness, prompted by fake 'official' websites selling merchandise.
- On September 12, 2025, Abhishek Bachchan sought legal protection against misuse, including the creation of AI-generated explicit content. His plea also demanded the removal of infringing URLs.
- Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan set a precedent in 2023 by moving the Delhi High Court over unauthorised use of his name, image, and iconic voice, receiving interim relief.
Other major stars who have secured legal safeguards include:
- Anil Kapoor (2023): Protected his name, image, voice, and catchphrase "Jhakaas."
- Jackie Shroff (2024): Stopped misuse of his image and name in merchandise and apps.
- Suniel Shetty: Approached Bombay HC against misuse of his image on social media for business promotion.
- Karan Johar and playback singer Kumar Sanu have also filed suits in the Delhi High Court to protect their respective personality rights.
The AI Factor and Judicial Response
The courts are increasingly cognizant of the unique threats posed by technology. The Delhi High Court has previously directed tech giants like Meta and Google to explain why morphed and profane content is not taken down. In a significant observation while protecting actor Nagarjuna's rights, the court highlighted the long-term dangers of generative AI. The technology can replicate and amplify misleading content, causing irreversible damage to a public figure's reputation.
This wave of litigation underscores a pivotal shift. As AI tools and social media virality blur the lines between reality and imitation, India's top celebrities are no longer relying on public statements alone. They are proactively using the judicial system to safeguard their most valuable assets—their identity and persona—in the digital age. The outcomes of these cases will likely set crucial legal benchmarks for personality rights in India.
