Delhi High Court Orders Takedown of Obscene Ajay Devgan Deepfakes

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the removal of several deepfake videos featuring actor Ajay Devgan, including AI-generated clips portraying him in obscene situations with female celebrities. The order was passed by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora in a suit filed by Devgan, who sought protection of his personality rights.

At this stage, the Court declined to issue a broader direction for taking down other online posts that merely used Devgan’s images.

“You have to give some leeway to fan pages, they will not put a judge’s picture. This much freedom you will have to give your fans. Then you will have to take all the fan pages down. Otherwise he will have to erase his footsteps completely,” the Court told the actor.

Appearing for Devgan, Advocate Pravin Anand informed the Court about unauthorised listings on Amazon, including posters, t-shirts and caps using the actor’s name and likeness. He stressed that the more pressing concern was the circulation of obscene and offensive deepfakes. He pointed out that one YouTuber was repeatedly publishing AI-generated content using Devgan’s name, image and likeness without consent.

The Court asked whether Devgan had first written to YouTube regarding these videos, noting that such a step would strengthen the actor’s case in matters involving offensive or “unpleasant” content.

The judge clarified that while ex parte directions cannot be issued for simple reproduction of photographs, removal of deepfakes and pornographic material can be ordered.

“Have you registered a protest with YouTube beforehand on the issue of ‘unpleasant videos’? I will grant this relief now but successively in all such petitions, protest will have to be filed first or else wait for 2 months for the next hearing,” Justice Arora said.

She also remarked that the suit combined multiple issues, which could make the proceedings more complex. “If you mix so many cause of action it will be difficult for the court and the advocates,” she observed.

The Court then directed that the obscene deepfake videos be taken down. Summons were issued to the defendants, and the matter was listed before the Joint Registrar on December 26 and before the Court in 2026. The online platforms, added as proforma defendants, were directed to provide Basic Subscriber Information of the uploaders within two weeks.

During the hearing, Anand submitted that deepfake technology has become a global concern. “They are closely watching Indian courts and talking about it in conferences, writing articles about it,” he said.

In his suit, Devgan has relied on provisions of the Copyright Act to assert his moral rights over his performances. He has also sought enforcement of trademark rights over the registered mark ‘Ajay Devgan’. The suit names various defendants allegedly selling merchandise carrying his name and image without permission.

According to the plaint, the defendants have been extracting clips from films or other cinematographic works containing Devgan’s performances to create and distribute deepfake videos. The plaint states that these actions, carried out without informing him or obtaining his consent, portray him in a manner that lowers his reputation and exposes him to “unsavoury humour, disrepute and baseless rumours”, thereby violating his moral rights.