Delhi High Court Rules on Personality Rights of Actors Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
| 2025-09-13
Delhi High Court Rules on Personality Rights of Actors Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The Delhi High Court safeguards the personality rights of Bollywood actors Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from unauthorised online exploitation.
The Delhi High Court has issued landmark rulings protecting the personality rights of Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, responding to concerns regarding the unauthorised use of their names and images for commercial purposes. The court's decisions mark a significant step for celebrity rights, particularly in the digital age where artificial intelligence is increasingly exploited.
Court Decisions
On September 10, 2025, Justice Tejas Karia ruled in favour of Abhishek Bachchan, asserting that various online platforms were unlawfully using his name, images, and signature without his consent. The court noted that these attributes, which are closely linked to the actor’s professional life, were being misappropriated, causing potential harm to his reputation.
"The unauthorised use of such attributes has the effect of diluting the goodwill and reputation associated with him," stated Justice Karia. The ruling emphasised that the actor demonstrated a compelling case for the injunction, arguing that failure to restrict these infringements could lead to irreparable harm, not only financially but also in terms of personal dignity.
As a result, the court granted a temporary injunction prohibiting online entities from exploiting Bachchan's likeness for commercial gain.
In a similar case, on September 9, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan received a favourable ruling from the court, aimed at preventing the exploitation of her identity through unauthorised means. Justice Karia highlighted the serious implications of using a celebrity's likeness without authorization, asserting that such actions undermine their right to privacy and dignity.
Impact on Privacy and Dignity
The court expressed that unauthorised exploitation threatens not only the commercial interests of individuals but also their fundamental right to live with dignity. Rai Bachchan's case involved the circulation of AI-generated pornographic images using her likeness, alongside the sale of merchandise without her permission.
In its interim order, the court prohibited various defendants from creating and distributing products, including T-shirts and mugs, utilising her name and image. The ruling extends to cover content generated through artificial intelligence, digital manipulation, and other methods that could misrepresent her public persona.
Legal Precedents and Wider Implications
These court rulings signal a growing recognition of personality rights in India, particularly as celebrities increasingly face challenges from technological advancements that can distort their images and identities. The concept of personality rights, or the right to publicity, allows individuals to control the commercial use of their likeness, aiming to prevent exploitation without consent.
Justice Karia’s remarks underscored the importance of protecting such rights: "The courts... cannot turn a blind eye to the unauthorised exploitation of an individual’s personality." These cases could set critical precedents for other celebrities facing similar challenges in the evolving digital landscape.
Both Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have become emblematic figures in the fight for the protection of personality rights, indicating a broader societal recognition of the need to safeguard the dignity and privacy of individuals in the public eye.
Conclusion
As the use of technology continues to evolve, the need for robust legal frameworks to protect personality rights will likely become more pressing. The Delhi High Court's actions against the misuse of celebrity identities underscore the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that the rights of public figures are upheld in an increasingly digital marketplace.
These cases stand as reminders of the significance of privacy and dignity in an age where personal images can easily be manipulated and misused.
Court Decisions
On September 10, 2025, Justice Tejas Karia ruled in favour of Abhishek Bachchan, asserting that various online platforms were unlawfully using his name, images, and signature without his consent. The court noted that these attributes, which are closely linked to the actor’s professional life, were being misappropriated, causing potential harm to his reputation.
"The unauthorised use of such attributes has the effect of diluting the goodwill and reputation associated with him," stated Justice Karia. The ruling emphasised that the actor demonstrated a compelling case for the injunction, arguing that failure to restrict these infringements could lead to irreparable harm, not only financially but also in terms of personal dignity.
As a result, the court granted a temporary injunction prohibiting online entities from exploiting Bachchan's likeness for commercial gain.
In a similar case, on September 9, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan received a favourable ruling from the court, aimed at preventing the exploitation of her identity through unauthorised means. Justice Karia highlighted the serious implications of using a celebrity's likeness without authorization, asserting that such actions undermine their right to privacy and dignity.
Impact on Privacy and Dignity
The court expressed that unauthorised exploitation threatens not only the commercial interests of individuals but also their fundamental right to live with dignity. Rai Bachchan's case involved the circulation of AI-generated pornographic images using her likeness, alongside the sale of merchandise without her permission.
In its interim order, the court prohibited various defendants from creating and distributing products, including T-shirts and mugs, utilising her name and image. The ruling extends to cover content generated through artificial intelligence, digital manipulation, and other methods that could misrepresent her public persona.
Legal Precedents and Wider Implications
These court rulings signal a growing recognition of personality rights in India, particularly as celebrities increasingly face challenges from technological advancements that can distort their images and identities. The concept of personality rights, or the right to publicity, allows individuals to control the commercial use of their likeness, aiming to prevent exploitation without consent.
Justice Karia’s remarks underscored the importance of protecting such rights: "The courts... cannot turn a blind eye to the unauthorised exploitation of an individual’s personality." These cases could set critical precedents for other celebrities facing similar challenges in the evolving digital landscape.
Both Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have become emblematic figures in the fight for the protection of personality rights, indicating a broader societal recognition of the need to safeguard the dignity and privacy of individuals in the public eye.
Conclusion
As the use of technology continues to evolve, the need for robust legal frameworks to protect personality rights will likely become more pressing. The Delhi High Court's actions against the misuse of celebrity identities underscore the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that the rights of public figures are upheld in an increasingly digital marketplace.
These cases stand as reminders of the significance of privacy and dignity in an age where personal images can easily be manipulated and misused.
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