In a pivotal development for celebrity rights, the Delhi High Court will pronounce its interim order on October 8 in actor Arjun Kapoor’s petition against AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized use of his image. The lawsuit spotlights the growing menace of digital forgeries plaguing Bollywood stars.
Kapoor’s counsel argued that shady websites are peddling pornographic videos featuring his face superimposed via AI, causing irreparable harm to his reputation and commercial value. These deepfake creations, they claimed, violate core personality rights encompassing name, image, voice, and likeness.
The court, while reserving its order, clarified key boundaries. Public figures cannot claim blanket bans on all references, it noted, distinguishing between legitimate discourse and harmful content. ‘Ordinary citizens don’t rush to courts for personality rights; celebrities endure heightened scrutiny,’ the judges remarked, yet affirmed protections against outright defamation.
Precedents abound: Allu Arjun halted illegal video edits, Kartik Aaryan blocked AI voice mimics, and veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan have fortified their digital identities through judicial interventions. Vivek Oberoi, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Telugu star Nagarjuna join this list of protected luminaries.
As the entertainment world grapples with AI’s double-edged sword, Kapoor’s case could redefine consent in content creation. The impending ruling promises clarity on balancing free expression with personal dignity in India’s booming digital content ecosystem.
