In a decisive move to protect her identity and reputation, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has approached the Bombay High Court, seeking legal protection against the rampant unauthorised use of her name, images, and videos.
Legal Action Against Unauthorised Commercial Exploitation
The lawsuit, filed by her advocate Sana Raees Khan, names a significant number of defendants. Twenty-seven specific entities have been identified, while numerous other unknown offenders, categorized under the 'John Doe' provision, are also part of the suit. Reports indicate that the total number of websites and platforms misusing her identity could run into the hundreds.
The suit specifically targets the illegal use of her pictures, videos, and even morphed content to promote various products and services without her consent. This legal step underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards the commercial exploitation of her hard-earned fame.
Protecting a Legacy Built Over Decades
Advocate Sana Raees Khan emphasized the core reason behind this legal battle. She stated that Shilpa Shetty has meticulously built her reputation over decades of dedicated work in the film industry. "No entity can appropriate her name or likeness without consent," Khan asserted, labelling the unauthorised use as "an outright assault on her dignity and hard-earned reputation."
She further clarified the intent, saying, "No individual or platform has the right to exploit her reputation for unlawful commercial gain. We have moved the Bombay High Court to put a stop to such misuse and to safeguard her identity from being treated as a commodity." The primary goal is the strict enforcement of her personality rights.
A Growing Trend Among Indian Celebrities
Shilpa Shetty is not alone in this fight. Her action is part of a larger trend where prominent Indian celebrities are proactively turning to the judiciary to defend their personality rights.
This growing list includes other major Bollywood figures such as Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Jaya Bachchan, and Hrithik Roshan, alongside stars from other film industries like Rishab Shetty and Akkineni Nagarjuna.
This collective legal movement highlights the increasing awareness and importance of protecting one's digital identity and brand value in the internet age, where misuse can be widespread and damaging.
