{"id":2214503,"date":"2025-12-28T11:20:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T11:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2214503"},"modified":"2025-12-28T11:20:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T11:20:51","slug":"celebrities-who-moved-court-for-personality-rights-protection-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/celebrities-who-moved-court-for-personality-rights-protection-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrities who moved court for personality rights protection in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Personality rights India: This year witnessed an unprecedented number of celebrities approaching courts seeking protection of their personality<\/a>\u00a0rights, a concept that did not even exist a decade ago but has now become the talk of the town with the rise of Artificial Intelligence<\/a> (AI) and social media platforms.<\/p>\n

Several celebrities approached courts back-to-back this year<\/a>, accusing various entities and digital platforms of unauthorised use of their images, voices, personas and personality attributes to create deepfake videos, morphed images, AI-generated content,<\/a> unsolicited advertisements and brand endorsements that not only deceived their fans but also harmed their goodwill and reputation.<\/p>\n

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From Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan, here is a list of celebrities who approached courts this year to protect their personality attributes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Delhi Delhi High Court\u2019s Justice Navin Chawla held that it cannot be disputed that Bachchan is a well-known personality and is represented in various advertisements.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Amitabh Bachchan<\/h2>\n

The \u201cMuqaddar Ka Sikandar\u201d actor moved<\/a> the Delhi<\/a> High Court, which restrained several people violating the veteran actor\u2019s \u201cpublicity rights\u201d as a celebrity.<\/p>\n

Granting an ex parte ad interim injunction in November, Justice Navin Chawla<\/strong> held that it cannot be disputed that Bachchan is a well-known personality and is represented in various advertisements.<\/p>\n

The court directed the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to pull down all links and websites mentioned in his plea, which stated that he has become a household name not only in India but across the world for over the last 50 years.<\/p>\n

2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan<\/h2>\n

The Delhi High Court, while granting<\/a> protection to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan\u2019s personality, publicity and moral rights, observed that courts cannot turn a blind eye to cases of unauthorised exploitation of personality rights.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen the identity of a famous personality is used without their consent or authorisation, it may not only lead to commercial detriment to the concerned individual but also impact their right to live with dignity,\u201d Justice Tejas Karia<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n

\"Aishwarya The former Miss World was granted protection against the misuse of her name and the acronym \u201cARB\u201d, image, and persona for any commercial or personal gain without her consent.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her plea, Aishwarya submitted that she is one of the most celebrated and internationally recognised personalities in the Indian entertainment industry. It was further stated that she is a global icon, an acclaimed actress, a former Miss World and a global ambassador for various brands.<\/p>\n

Arguing for the protection of Rai\u2019s publicity rights, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi pointed out that his client has earned \u201cimmense fame and respect through her prolific acting career, philanthropic endeavours and global representation\u201d of Indian culture and cinema.<\/p>\n

Justice Karia<\/strong> restrained entities from exploiting or misappropriating the 1994 Miss World\u2019s name and acronym \u201cARB\u201d, image and persona for any commercial or personal gain without her consent.<\/p>\n

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3. Karan Johar<\/h2>\n

Karan Johar, who directed, produced, and wrote several critically and commercially acclaimed \u2018blockbuster\u2019 films like \u201cKuch Kuch Hota Hai\u201d, approached<\/a> the Delhi High Court, which granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction to protect his personality and publicity rights in September.<\/p>\n

Considering the commercial value of the publicity rights of celebrities, the court stated that \u201ca celebrity is entitled to safeguard his interest against any misuse of the personality attributes which include his name, image, voice and likeness\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Karan Karan Johar got protection against misuse of his acronym \u2018KJo\u2019, likeness, image, voice, personality or any other aspects of his persona.<\/span><\/p>\n

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora<\/strong> restrained several entities from utilising Johar\u2019s name, his acronym \u2018KJo\u2019, likeness, image, voice, personality or any other aspects of his persona to create any merchandise, or in any other manner misuse the said attributes using technological tools for commercial purposes, which results in a violation of his rights.<\/p>\n

4. Hrithik Roshan<\/h2>\n

Hrithik Roshan, who made his debut as a lead actor in \u201cKaho Naa Pyaar Hai\u201d and has won multiple Filmfare Awards, was granted an ex parte ad interim injunction by the Delhi High Court in October to protect his personality and publicity rights.<\/p>\n

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\"Hrithik Hrithik Roshan made his debut as a lead actor in \u201cKaho Naa Pyaar Hai\u201d and has won multiple Filmfare Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n

The actor, who also owns the activewear and fitness brand HRX, sought protection from misuse of his name, images and attributes, including morphed and AI-generated content, to deceive fans for illegal profits.<\/p>\n

He submitted that no one can use his personality rights without his consent and highlighted that some content was vulgar and demeaning.<\/p>\n

5. Akkineni Nagarjuna<\/h2>\n

The 65-year-old actor approached the Delhi High Court seeking exclusive rights to control the use of his name, likeness, image, persona, voice, mannerisms, gestures and other uniquely identifiable characteristics associated with him.<\/p>\n

Granting the protection, Justice\u00a0Karia<\/strong> observed that the exploitation of one\u2019s personality rights puts at risk not only their \u201ceconomic interests\u201d but also their \u201cright to live with dignity\u201d, potentially causing immeasurable harm to their reputation and goodwill.<\/p>\n

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\"Nagarjuna Nagarjuna, the veteran actor, has featured in over 95 films. (Image enhanced using AI)<\/span><\/p>\n

Nagarjuna, in his plea, submitted that he is one of the most \u201crespected, acclaimed, celebrated actors, producer, entrepreneur and a revered veteran of the Indian film industry\u201d, having featured in over 95 feature films.<\/p>\n

The court, in its September order, protected the use or exploitation or misappropriation of the actor\u2019s name \u2018Akkineni Nagarjuna\u2019 and \u2018Nagarjuna\u2019; image, likeness, along with other attributes of his persona, which are exclusively identifiable with him.<\/p>\n

6. Abhishek Bachchan<\/h2>\n

Actor Abhishek Bachchan moved<\/a> the Delhi High Court, which granted an ex parte ad interim injunction directing the takedown, removal, disabling and blocking of various URLs, and restrained multiple entities from creating, sharing or disseminating any product or content, including audio visual content, images and videos, through the use of any technology that results in dilution of his public persona.<\/p>\n

\"Abhishek Abhishek Bachchan is is a celebrated and recognised actor, film producer and entrepreneur, who has, over the years, built a strong personal brand .<\/span><\/p>\n

In his plea, Abhishek submitted that he is a celebrated and recognised actor, film producer and entrepreneur, and that over the years he has built a strong personal brand with which the public associates trust and quality, including in relation to the brands he endorses. He further pointed out that certain entities had designed their entire business models to illegally monetise his persona and likeness for personal gain.<\/p>\n

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7. Salman Kahan<\/h2>\n

Bollywood star Salman Khan, the 60-year-old actor, with his dedication to fitness and distinct dialogue delivery who has created a unique brand of \u201cheroism\u201d in contemporary Indian cinema approached<\/a> the Delhi High Court to get protection for his \u201con-screen persona\u201d being synonymous with the term \u201cBhaijaan\u201d or \u201cBhai\u201d or \u201cSallu Bhai\u201d along with his voice and his signature dance steps in renowned movies like \u201cMujhse Shaadi Karoge\u201d and \u201cDabangg\u201d, etc.<\/p>\n

\"Salman Salman Khan seek protection against his \u201cdancing style\u201d along with other personality attributes. (Image enhanced using AI)<\/span><\/p>\n

In his petition, this Bajrangi Bhaijaan<\/a> actor called his extensive fan following and their unconditional love as the \u201cmost valuable asset\u201d and submitted that his attributes, including name, signature, name, voice, etc., had been used to deceive his fans and the world at large unlawfully.<\/p>\n

The matter would come up on May 18, 2026, in the high court.<\/p>\n

8. Jaya Bachchan<\/h2>\n

Protecting the personality rights of actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, the Delhi High Court issued <\/a>blocking orders for websites infringing on her personality rights in November.<\/p>\n

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Jaya\u2019s counsel submitted that the actress is regarded as one of the most renowned figures of Hindi cinema, with a career spanning over six decades, and pointed out that during the 1970s she emerged as one of the highest-paid actresses of the era.<\/p>\n

Justice Arora<\/strong> pointed out that the veteran actress\u2019s personality traits, including her names- Jaya Bachchan and Jaya Amitabh Bachchan, likeness, signature, voice, image and other aspects of her persona, are \u201cprotectable elements\u201d of her personality rights.<\/p>\n

The court further observed that the actress is entitled to seek an injunction against morphed and distorted content that is defamatory and demeaning to her and her family, as well as against the unauthorised commercial use of her personality rights by third parties.<\/p>\n

\"Jaya The Delhi High Court found that the veteran actress\u2019s personality traits, including her names, Jaya Bachchan and Jaya Amitabh Bachchan, are \u201cprotectable elements\u201d of her personality rights. (Image enhanced using AI)<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the court refused to grant an injunction against the use of her images on movie posters, noting that the copyright in movie posters vests with the respective film owners and not with Jaya.<\/p>\n

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9. Suniel Shetty<\/h2>\n

Alleging that certain AI-generated images and counterfeit merchandise misappropriated his image and likeness, Suniel Shetty, a proud Mangalorean and a Bollywood actor, moved<\/a> the Bombay High Court, stating that deep fake pictures, including those showing him with his grandchild, were creating \u201cirreparable injury to his immense goodwill\u201d and affecting existing contracts.<\/p>\n

\"Suniel Suniel Shetty was concerned about deep fake pictures, including those showing him with his grandchild.<\/span><\/p>\n

The court granted Shetty an ad-interim order and raised concerns over AI-generated infringing content, pointing out that the \u201cunauthorised use\u201d of AI-generated images of celebrities constitutes a blatant invasion of their \u201cprivacy and their fundamental rights\u201d.<\/p>\n

1o. Ajay Devgn<\/h2>\n

In December, Ajay Devgn, the famous \u201cSingham\u201d actor, <\/span>moved <\/span><\/a>the Delhi High Court, which ordered infringing websites to take down deepfakes with inappropriate content, as well as other content with unauthorised use of his name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Justice Arora<\/strong>, granting protection to Devgn\u2019s personality rights, observed that the actor is a known public figure with a distinguished career spanning over four decades, during which his \u201cname, image, voice, and likeness\u201d have acquired immense goodwill, distinctiveness, and commercial value.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ajay Ajay Devgn is associated with various brands such as \u201cVimal, Lakhani, Amul Comfy, Pushp, Dabur Babool\u201d etc, and claimed to be a \u201cfamily-friendly personality. (Image enhanced using AI)<\/span><\/p>\n

The court further noted that the \u201cDrishyam\u201d actor was entitled to seek an injunction against the use of his personality rights by third parties for selling merchandise for their commercial gains, without his authorisation.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the plea, Ajay\u2019s counsel submitted that he has starred in numerous \u201csuccessful films,\u201d received several \u201cnational and international awards\u201d, including multiple National Film Awards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from acting, directing and producing, and founding a visual effects studio, he has claimed that he is associated with various brands such as \u201cVimal, Lakhani, Amul Comfy, Pushp, Dabur Babool\u201d etc, and is a \u201cfamily-friendly personality\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why this matters<\/h2>\n

The surge in the number of celebrities approaching the courts for their publicity rights underscores several aspects, including the infringement of the right to life and personal liberty of the celebrities and known faces.<\/p>\n

It also reflected the growing concern over the unchecked use of AI tools and social media platforms that blur the line between reality and manipulation.<\/p>\n

\"Personality Personality rights in a nutshell. (Image generated using AI)<\/span><\/p>\n

What to expect in 2026<\/h2>\n

In 2026, with the legal awareness and regular coverage of such cases in the media, we are likely to see an increase in celebrities seeking judicial intervention to safeguard their publicity and personality rights against unauthorised exploitation.<\/p>\n

Moreover, this trend is expected to extend beyond public figures, as private individuals increasingly approach the courts to protect their own likeness, voice, and personal attributes from misuse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n