In recent months, a growing number of Bollywood celebrities have approached the
Delhi High Court to safeguard their personality and publicity rights, highlighting the rising threat of AI-generated content and online identity misuse. Joining this list is actor
Hrithik Roshan, who has filed a plea seeking protection of his name, image, likeness, voice, and other personal attributes from unauthorised commercial use.
The matter is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday by Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora.
Hrithik Roshan
Roshan’s petition names several known and unknown entities, including unnamed individuals (John Does), who allegedly exploited his identity for commercial benefit. The actor has sought an injunction to restrain the use of his name, image, and voice online, in advertisements, and across other media platforms.
Akshay Kumar
Similarly, Akshay Kumar has filed a suit before the Bombay High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against unknown individuals and entities allegedly infringing them through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The matter is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
In September 2025, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a petition to prevent the unauthorised commercial use of her name, voice, image, and likeness. The plea was prompted by fake websites falsely presenting themselves as her “official” platforms and selling merchandise featuring her image without permission.
Abhishek Bachchan
On September 12, 2025, Abhishek Bachchan sought legal protection against misuse of his image, voice, and likeness, including the creation of AI-generated explicit content. His plea also requested the removal of infringing URLs and blocking of websites hosting unlawful material.
Amitabh Bachchan
In 2023, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan moved the Delhi High Court over unauthorised use of his name, image, and distinctive voice. The court granted interim relief, barring misuse of his persona and preventing further infringement of his rights.
Jackie Shroff
In 2024, actor Jackie Shroff, popularly known as Jaggu Dada, filed a lawsuit to stop the misuse of his image and name in merchandise, mobile apps, and other commercial activities. The court upheld his personality rights, restraining others from exploiting his identity without authorisation.
Anil Kapoor
Actor Anil Kapoor sought legal protection in 2023 to safeguard his name, image, voice, and even his iconic catchphrase “Jhakaas” from unauthorised exploitation. The Delhi High Court ruled in his favour, recognising his personality rights and barring commercial misuse.
Suniel Shetty
Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty approached the Bombay High Court to protect his personality rights, citing misuse of his image on social media for business promotion, as reported by Bar and Bench.
Karan Johar
Filmmaker Karan Johar moved the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his name, photographs, and likeness on social media platforms and websites, alleging rampant unauthorised use.
Kumar Sanu
Legendary playback singer Kumar Sanu has also approached the Delhi High Court, seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights — including his name, voice, singing style, and image — amid growing misuse of celebrity identities online.
The AI factor and the courts
The Delhi High Court has increasingly focused on the misuse of celebrity identities in the digital space. Earlier, the court directed Meta and Google to explain why URLs containing morphed videos and profane content were not being removed. While protecting actor Nagarjuna’s personality rights, the court noted the long-term dangers posed by generative AI, which can replicate and amplify misleading or manipulated content, causing lasting damage to public figures.
With Hrithik Roshan’s petition, yet another star has joined the growing list of public figures turning to the judiciary to safeguard their digital identities in an era where social media virality and AI tools can blur the line between authenticity and imitation.
Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here
Start a Conversation
Post comment