Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking protection against the unauthorized use of her image, likeness, and persona.
The case was filed against multiple entities that, according to the actress, have infringed upon her personality rights by using her photographs, videos, and name for commercial gain without her consent.
During the hearing, the court orally indicated that it will pass an ad-interim injunction restraining the defendant entities from further misuse of the actress’s images.
Senior Advocate Highlights Unauthorized Usage
Representing Aishwarya Rai, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi submitted before Justice Tejas Karia that his client was seeking enforcement of her publicity and personality rights. He pointed out that the defendants were profiting by using her identity without permission.
“Please see second defendant. Aishwarya Rai wallpapers, photos etc. The third defendant is a collection of T-shirts, her pictures on T-shirts are sold,” Sethi argued. He further explained that several other entities were similarly using her images and likeness without authorization.
Sethi raised serious concerns about the nature of the content being circulated. “They are collecting money on the representation of my association. Screenshots on YouTube where images morphed, these are never images belonging to Aishwarya Rai. Neither she has authorized such images. All AI generated,” he submitted.
He also flagged the misuse of intimate photographs, calling them “completely unreal.” According to him, some of the entities are identified as ‘John Doe’, using the actress’s images on products like coffee mugs and other merchandise.
Legal Precedents
Referencing earlier judgments, Sethi said, “Many judgments recognizing this right but the view in Mr. Anil Kapoor’s case, the order on interim application, the merit of the plaintiff is dealt. But please see how court deals with this question on the right,” citing the 2023 Delhi High Court decision that upheld the personality rights of actor Anil Kapoor.
He argued strongly that no entity has the right to commercially exploit Aishwarya Rai’s identity. “A gentleman is collecting money merely by putting my name and face. Her name and likeness is used to satisfy someone’s sexual desires. Very unfortunate,” he remarked.
Google’s Response
Counsel for Google referred to the ‘Andaz Apna Apna case’, stating that links containing unauthorized content were removed once reported. However, the court clarified its approach, stating, “There are only 151 URLs which will form part of the order as far as you are concerned. You take down. We will pass orders against each of defendants because prayers are broad. But we will grant injunctions separately.”
The court also noted that the order will be uploaded and gave a strong indication that it would pass the ad-interim injunction to stop the misuse.
The matter has been adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for January 15, 2026. The case marks another significant step in addressing privacy and personality rights issues in the digital age, particularly concerning celebrities and public figures.
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