Delhi High Court to protect Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s personality rights
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it will issue orders to protect the personality and publicity rights of Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Justice Tejas Karia observed that online platforms and individuals misusing the actor’s name, image, or AI-generated likeness without permission will be restrained.
“We will pass orders against each defendant. The prayers are wide, so a common order can be passed, but injunctions will also be issued separately,” Justice Karia noted.
The Court was hearing a suit filed by Bachchan, who sought protection of her identity from unauthorised use. Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing her, argued that her name, image, and persona are being exploited for commercial gain and even misused for obscene content.
He highlighted that morphed and AI-generated pictures of the actor are being circulated online, some even used for pornographic purposes. “It is shocking. Her likeness is being misused to satisfy someone’s sexual desires. Money is being collected in her name by misusing her face and identity,” Sethi told the Court.
He further pointed to a company named Aishwarya Nation Wealth, which falsely listed Bachchan as its chairperson and even used her picture on its letterhead. He said his client has never interacted with the firm, calling it an act of fraud.
The Court will now issue injunctions to prevent such misuse and protect Bachchan’s personality rights.
