Abhishek Bachchan Moves Delhi High Court Against Misuse of Image, AI Videos, and Fake Content

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his publicity and personality rights. He urged the court to restrain websites and online platforms from misusing his image, likeness, and persona, and from distributing fake or AI-generated videos, including explicit content without his consent.

The petition was listed before Justice Tejas Karia, who asked Bachchan's legal team to respond to certain queries. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing at 2:30 pm on Thursday.

Bachchan's counsel, Advocate Pravin Anand, argued that the defendants are circulating AI-manipulated content and forged photographs allegedly signed by the actor. He stressed that such misuse not only damages the actor's reputation but also violates his fundamental rights. Advocates Ameet Naik, Madhu Gadodia, and Dhruv Anand are also representing Bachchan in the case.

Legal Action Against Merchandise Platform

The plea specifically names the website Bollywood Tee Shop, which allegedly sells t-shirts and other merchandise featuring Bollywood celebrities, including Bachchan, without authorization. The actor is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent further misuse of his name and image for commercial gain.

Parallel Case by Aishwarya Rai

This petition follows a similar move by Bachchan's wife, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who had approached the court just a day earlier to prevent unauthorized use of her persona. The couple's back-to-back pleas highlight the growing concern among celebrities about digital impersonation and misuse of public images.

Concerns Over AI and Deepfakes

The case underscores the rising challenges posed by AI technologies and deepfake tools, which can create realistic yet false videos and images of public figures. Legal experts suggest that the court's ruling in this matter could set a precedent for future cases involving digital impersonation and AI-generated content in India.

What's Next?

The High Court is expected to hear detailed arguments later today. The outcome may shape how similar cases are dealt with in the future, particularly with regard to safeguarding celebrity rights in the digital era.