Bollywood Stars Turn to Courts Amid Rising Deepfake, Identity Misuse Threats
From Karan Johar to Aishwarya Rai, Bollywood celebrities seek legal safeguards against AI-driven deepfakes and misuse of identity.
Mumbai, Sept 16: Bollywood is witnessing a growing legal battle against the misuse of celebrity identities, with several top stars stepping into courtrooms to protect their personality rights in the age of AI and deepfakes.
Filmmaker Karan Johar has approached the Delhi High Court after discovering his name and photos being used online without consent, highlighting a broader crisis faced by actors and filmmakers alike. His petition follows similar legal moves by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, who sought judicial protection after AI-generated deepfake videos and impersonation incidents threatened their reputations.
The issue is not new. In 2023, veteran actor Anil Kapoor secured an interim order from the Delhi High Court safeguarding his persona—including his image, voice, and even his iconic “jhakaas” catchphrase—setting a precedent for enforceable personality rights in India.
Deepfake misuse has since continued to haunt stars. Alia Bhatt, Rashmika Mandanna, Nora Fatehi, and Priyanka Chopra have all faced manipulated content ranging from fake endorsements to explicit videos, triggering public outcry and demands for stronger safeguards.
Legal experts note that these cases are expanding the scope of personality rights—covering names, likenesses, voices, and other personal attributes—anchored in the constitutional right to privacy and property. The Arijit Singh v. Codible Ventures LLP (2024) judgment further underlined the risks posed by AI-driven impersonation, especially in voice cloning.
With technology advancing rapidly, Bollywood celebrities are no longer relying solely on platforms to self-regulate. They are increasingly turning to courts to curb unauthorised commercial use and reputational damage caused by AI manipulation.
Industry observers say the legal spotlight has shifted from box-office numbers to digital vulnerabilities. What may appear as lighthearted online entertainment can in fact spiral into financial, personal, and legal crises for those in the public eye.
