Shahin Akhtar
On 10th September, 2025, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan approached the Delhi High Court, seeking legal protection of his personality rights and an order restraining the misuse of his identity. In his petition, he has alleged that several websites, YouTube channels, and e-commerce platforms are exploiting his name, images, voice, signature, and performances without his permission for commercial and personal gain. The suit, Abhishek Bachchan v. The Bollywood Tee Shop and Ors, comes right after his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a similar plea earlier this week.
The matter was taken up by Justice Tejas Karia, who noted that the Court could direct Google to remove such content if specific URLs were provided. “If you can identify the platform, it can be easily done. This cannot be passed in a general way; it has to be divided defendant-wise,” the judge observed. Bachchan’s counsel, Advocate Pravin Anand, assured the Court that a list of infringing links would be submitted. Later in the day, his team handed over the URLs, after which the Court said it would consider the request.
In his plea, Bachchan pointed out that his persona is being misused through unauthorized merchandise, wallpapers, AI-generated videos, and deepfakes. He also flagged the circulation of fake autographs and manipulated content, including sexually inappropriate material, which, according to him, is degrading, misleading to the public, and harmful to his dignity and reputation.
The actor has asked the Court to stop platforms and individuals from exploiting his identity. He has also sought protection against defamation, trademark infringement, passing off, and unfair competition. His petition emphasises that attributes linked to his persona, such as his name, likeness, signature, and voice, cannot be used without his consent.
Just a day before, Justice Karia had heard a similar plea by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and indicated that unauthorized use of her images and persona would be restrained. Abhishek Bachchan’s case raises similar issues, underlining growing concerns about the misuse of celebrity identities, particularly with the rise of AI tools and deepfake technology. The case will now be heard again on January 15, 2026.
Case Name: Abhishek Bachchan v. The Bollywood Tee Shop & Ors.
Case No: CS(Comm)/960/2025
Bench: Justice Tejas Karia
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