Arjun Kapoor Moves Delhi High Court Over Misuse of Image and AI-Generated Content
NEW DELHI — Actor Arjun Kapoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights, alleging widespread misuse of his name, image, and likeness across digital platforms.
The case was heard by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who considered arguments on Kapoor’s plea for interim relief against multiple entities accused of exploiting his identity without consent.
Representing the actor, senior advocate Pravin Anand told the court that several defendants were using Kapoor’s photographs, likeness, and personal attributes for commercial purposes, including selling unauthorized merchandise and distributing manipulated digital content.
The court was informed that the alleged misuse also included circulation of sexually explicit material and AI-generated deepfakes featuring Kapoor, raising concerns over reputational harm.
Anand argued that the content in question went beyond parody or satire, claiming it involved fabricated and morphed visuals designed to exploit the actor’s public image for profit. Among the examples cited were images allegedly showing Kapoor’s face altered onto that of an animal and another portraying him in a fabricated scenario selling street food.
During the hearing, Justice Gedela noted that public figures are often subject to a wide range of content online and that not all material can be ordered removed unless it is clearly defamatory or derogatory.
“When a person is in public glare, a lot of things happen. We can understand if things are disparaging or defamatory. But everything cannot come under that,” the judge said.
Lawyers representing Google LLC and other defendants also presented their submissions during the proceedings.
The court said it would issue a detailed order on Kapoor’s request for interim protection.
Kapoor’s case is part of a growing trend of public figures turning to the Delhi High Court to safeguard their personality rights amid the rise of AI-generated content and online impersonation. Several prominent individuals, including Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Gavaskar, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Aniruddhacharya Maharaj, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jubin Nautiyal, Karan Johar, and Raj Shamani, have recently sought and obtained similar protections against unauthorized use of their identity. (Source: IANS)
