AI Film ‘AI Love Story’ Halted by Delhi High Court Over Personality Rights Violation
The Delhi High Court has stopped the release and circulation of an AI-generated film that used the identity of Akira Nandan, son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, without his permission.
In an ex parte interim order passed on January 23, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela restrained Sambhawaami Studios LLP and other unknown parties from creating, uploading, publishing or sharing any AI-generated or deepfake content using Akira Nandan’s name, image, voice, likeness or persona.
The case relates to an AI-generated film titled “AI Love Story”, which was uploaded on YouTube and other digital platforms. Akira Nandan, who is 21 years old, approached the High Court alleging that the film falsely portrayed him as the lead character by using advanced AI morphing and deepfake technology. He stated that the content created a misleading impression that he had consented to or participated in the film.
The Court was informed that multiple versions of the film were uploaded online. As of January 22, 2026, the Telugu version had over 11 lakh views, while the English version had crossed 24,000 views, showing wide and rapid online circulation.
Apart from the AI film, the suit also highlighted several fake social media accounts and monetised pages on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. These accounts allegedly used Akira Nandan’s name and photographs to gain followers and earn money. Some of them were also accused of seeking donations in his name, raising serious concerns of public deception and financial misuse.
After examining the AI-generated visuals placed on record, the Court observed that such technology can be misused to create realistic but entirely false narratives involving identifiable individuals, causing serious harm to reputation and privacy.
Relying on the earlier decision in DM Entertainment Pvt Ltd v. Baby Gift House, the Court reiterated that Indian law recognises the right to publicity. This right protects an individual from unauthorised commercial exploitation of their name, image or persona.
The Court noted that even though Akira Nandan is at an early stage of his public career, the creation of a full-length AI film portraying him as a lead character itself shows that he has a recognisable and distinctive identity.
At the interim stage, the Court held that the balance of convenience was clearly in Akira Nandan’s favour. It observed that damage to personality and reputation cannot be adequately compensated with money and may become irreversible if immediate relief is not granted.
Accordingly, the High Court restrained the defendants from creating or circulating the AI film “AI Love Story” or any related content, from using Akira Nandan’s identity through AI or deepfake technology, and from generating manipulated content that violates his privacy or harms his reputation.
The Court also directed social media intermediaries, including Meta Platforms, to take down the infringing links identified in the case and to share account and IP-related details of the infringers within the prescribed timelines.
