Delhi High Court upholds Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s personality rights, Bars misuse of identity

The court’s order comes after the Bollywood star approached it citing misuse of her identity across digital platforms without consent. 

Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that celebrities have the right to safeguard their reputation and persona, which form an essential part of their public identity and livelihood. The court emphasized that unauthorized use of an individual’s personality traits for commercial gain amounts to violation of privacy and misappropriation of intellectual property. 

The ruling directed various online entities, websites, and platforms to refrain from using Aishwarya Rai’s photographs, voice samples, or other personal attributes to endorse products or services without her written approval. The court also asked internet service providers and domain registrars to act against offenders if violations continue. 

Personality rights, while not explicitly codified in Indian law, have been recognized by courts under the broader ambit of the right to privacy and the right to publicity. Similar orders have earlier been granted in favor of public figures like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. With this move, the High Court reaffirmed that celebrity rights fall under legal protection to prevent exploitation in the digital age where impersonation and deepfakes are on the rise. 

Legal experts say the ruling strengthens the precedent for safeguarding artists’ professional identities in India, especially in an era when artificial intelligence and online misrepresentation are rampant. For Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the court’s intervention draws a decisive boundary to preserve her brand value and dignity against unauthorized commercial misuse. 

The case highlights a growing judicial recognition of personality rights, ensuring that celebrities maintain control over how their identities are represented in the fast-expanding digital marketplace.