New Delhi: Kriti Sanon has become the latest Bollywood star to take the legal route against digital impersonation, approaching the Delhi High Court for protection of her personality and publicity rights. The actress has sought safeguards against the alleged unauthorised use of her name, image, likeness and other identity attributes, including through artificial intelligence generated content and digital impersonation.
The matter came up for hearing before a single judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who asked the actress’s counsel to place on record a compilation of relevant judgments, research papers and other material dealing with the legal questions around personality rights. The court indicated it would pass a comprehensive order after examining the material, and listed the matter for further hearing on October 29.
What the plea asks for
Sanon’s petition targets the growing misuse of celebrity identities online, from fake brand endorsements and AI generated deepfakes to doctored images that circulate as genuine. In recent years, such content has become easier to produce and harder to trace, thanks to widely available generative AI tools that can clone faces and voices with unsettling accuracy.
The key protections the plea seeks:
- A bar on the unauthorised commercial use of her name, image and likeness
- Action against AI generated deepfakes and digital impersonation
- Curbs on fake endorsements that misuse her identity to sell products
- Safeguards covering her digital avatar and other identity attributes
By asking the court to examine judgments and research material before passing an order, the Bench has signalled it wants to deal with the issue thoroughly rather than rush through an interim direction.
Why this case matters right now
The timing is no accident. Over the last few months, the Delhi High Court has emerged as the central battleground for India’s celebrity personality rights disputes. Deepfakes and AI generated imitations have moved from occasional pranks to an organised problem, with stars finding their faces on fake advertisements, investment scams and morphed clips that damage reputations overnight.
For a working actor, the stakes are straightforward. A fake endorsement does not just embarrass, it can mislead fans into financial fraud while diluting the value of genuine brand partnerships.
A queue of stars that keeps growing
Sanon joins a long and expanding list of public figures who have knocked on the Delhi High Court’s doors. In recent months, former cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Naga Chaitanya, singer Jubin Nautiyal, film maker Karan Johar, podcaster Raj Shamani and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor have all secured or sought court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness or AI generated imitations.
The pattern is telling. What began with a handful of isolated pleas is now a steady stream, suggesting that personality rights litigation may soon become routine business for public figures in the AI era.
What happens next
With the matter listed for October 29, Sanon’s legal team will now compile the precedents and research the court has asked for. Observers will be watching whether the Bench passes a John Doe style order, a format the Delhi High Court has used before to act against unknown offenders and intermediaries, or opts for a more detailed framework addressing AI specific misuse.
For now, the message from the film industry is united. As generative tools get cheaper and more convincing, stars are concluding that the courtroom is the only reliable place to draw the line.
FAQs
What are personality rights?
They are the legal rights of a person to control the commercial use of their identity, including their name, image, likeness, voice and other distinctive attributes. Using them without consent can be challenged in court.
What did the Delhi High Court say in Kriti Sanon’s case?
The single judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav asked her counsel to place on record relevant judgments, research papers and other material on personality rights, and said it would pass a comprehensive order after examining them.
When is the next hearing?
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 29, 2026.
Which other celebrities have filed similar pleas?
Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Gavaskar, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jubin Nautiyal, Karan Johar, Raj Shamani, Shashi Tharoor and Naga Chaitanya are among those who have approached the court in recent months.
Does this mean fans cannot share her photos?
No. The plea is aimed at unauthorised commercial exploitation, fake endorsements and AI generated impersonation, not at fans sharing publicly available pictures or film stills.
Stay tuned to Informeia for updates as the October 29 hearing approaches.
