September 9, 2025 – Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her publicity and personality rights amid concerns over the unauthorized commercial use of her name, image, and AI-generated content. The legal move comes in response to the circulation of manipulated and obscene representations of the actress across digital and physical platforms.
The petition, filed by Rai Bachchan through Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, along with advocates Pravin Anand and Dhruv Anand, targets multiple instances of commercial exploitation. Evidence presented before the court highlights websites and merchandise featuring the actress’s image and name without her consent. Items such as mugs, T-shirts, and drinkware were reportedly marketed under false claims of affiliation with the actress, raising serious intellectual property and personality rights concerns.
In addition to commercial misuse, the petition draws attention to AI-generated pornographic and obscene images circulating online. Sethi described the situation as “very unfortunate,” emphasizing the potential reputational harm caused by such manipulations. The petition seeks not only to restrain further unauthorized use but also to hold responsible parties accountable for fraudulent representations.
The matter was heard by Justice Tejas Karia, who acknowledged the gravity of the allegations. An interim injunction is expected to be granted, which would prohibit further misuse of Rai Bachchan’s likeness and name until the case is fully adjudicated. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 15, 2026, while preliminary proceedings before the joint registrar are set for November 7, 2025.
Legal experts note that the case highlights the increasing legal challenges faced by public figures in the age of digital media and AI-generated content. With the proliferation of artificial intelligence tools capable of creating realistic but manipulated images, celebrities are increasingly vulnerable to misuse that can impact their reputation, privacy, and commercial interests.
This development also underscores the importance of personality rights in India, which protect individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their identity. Courts in the country have increasingly recognized the need to safeguard such rights, especially in cases where modern technology can be exploited to generate harmful content without consent.
Rai Bachchan’s legal action is expected to set a precedent for other public figures dealing with similar issues. It sends a strong message to online platforms, commercial entities, and individuals about the legal ramifications of using someone’s likeness without explicit permission.
The case has drawn attention from both legal analysts and the entertainment industry, reflecting the broader societal debate around the ethical and legal boundaries of AI-generated content. As technology advances, the legal system faces mounting pressure to balance freedom of expression with the protection of individual rights, particularly in high-profile cases involving celebrities.
With the interim injunction likely to curb further misuse, the eyes of the industry and the public remain on the Delhi High Court as it navigates this complex intersection of technology, law, and personal rights.
