Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has secured a crucial legal victory as the Delhi High Court granted him interim protection against the unauthorized use of his name, image, and voice in AI-generated content and deepfake materials. This landmark ruling highlights the pressing need to safeguard personality rights in India amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies capable of replicating a celebrity’s likeness.
The court ordered the immediate removal of numerous URLs and online listings that exploited Hrithik’s identity for commercial gain without his permission. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, in delivering the ruling, emphasized that while fan clubs and appreciation pages should not be removed arbitrarily, specific instances of online violations concerning Hrithik’s rights must be addressed. This decisive stance against the misuse of AI technologies echoes wider concerns within the entertainment sector about the preservation of personal identity.
The court reiterated that exploiting a celebrity’s persona, whether via merchandise or through AI-generated images and videos, infringes on their publicity and personality rights and can adversely impact their reputation and the trust they have built with their audience. Hrithik’s case illustrates the necessity of protecting digital representations of individuals from unauthorized exploitation.
This ruling aligns with a broader trend, as other high-profile figures, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Karan Johar, have also initiated legal actions to defend against digital impersonation. Previous judicial orders have compelled major tech firms, such as Meta and Google, to account for delays in removing manipulated content associated with celebrities, underscoring the increasing urgency surrounding these matters.
With a subsequent hearing scheduled for March 27, 2026, where a more comprehensive injunction may be evaluated, Hrithik’s legal team is anticipated to seek additional measures to fortify the protection of his image and voice. The developments in his case are viewed as potentially setting a precedent for Indian celebrities facing the challenges posed by AI deepfakes, establishing a framework for the protection of identity and intellectual property in a digital age.
Overall, this legal ruling embodies a positive advancement in the fight to secure artists’ rights, fostering responsible use of AI technologies while reinforcing the significance of respecting individuals’ identities in an evolving entertainment landscape.