Suniel Shetty Approaches Bombay High Court to Protect His Personality Rights

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has approached the Bombay High Court seeking protection of his personality rights, alleging that several websites and social media pages are using his photos and likeness without permission to promote their businesses.

The case was heard by Justice Arif Doctor, who has reserved the order on Shetty’s interim plea requesting the removal of all such infringing content.

Representing the actor, Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf informed the Court that deepfake images of Shetty have surfaced online, and that his photos are being used by real estate companies, astrology platforms, and gambling websites to attract customers — even though he has no connection with any of them.

Saraf pointed out, “There is a real estate agency and even an astrology website that use his photographs for promotions. Gambling websites are also using his images without authorisation.”

He further added that merchandise such as posters featuring Shetty’s image is being sold, and that a deepfake photo of Shetty with his grandchild has been circulated on social media, despite it being completely fabricated.

Shetty has accused the involved entities of infringement, passing off, and unauthorised merchandising. Through his petition, he has sought the removal of such misleading and unauthorised content from social media and other online platforms. His lawyer clarified that the actor is not seeking to block entire websites, but only the specific infringing material.

The Court’s order on the interim application is awaited.