New Delhi: Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights after AI-generated images and unauthorized use of her photos and videos surfaced online.
The actress filed a petition demanding a ban on the commercial exploitation of her name, images, and videos without consent. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi represented her in court, stating that several websites and companies were illegally using Aishwarya’s pictures, wallpapers, and even selling merchandise featuring her face—without her permission.
AI-Generated Images Spark Legal Action
According to submissions in court, multiple websites have been using Aishwarya Rai’s pictures and videos to generate profit. Some portals have published wallpapers and photographs, while one company was reportedly selling T-shirts with her images printed on them.
The petition also highlighted the misuse of AI-generated content, where Aishwarya’s face was superimposed onto different videos and images. Screenshots from YouTube showing such manipulated visuals were submitted before the court.
Sethi argued that these actions not only exploit Aishwarya’s brand value but also violate her personal and publicity rights. He further added that some individuals were using her likeness for objectionable or sexualized content, which he described as “highly unfortunate and damaging.”
Court Orders Immediate Removal of URLs
The Delhi High Court took note of the petition and referred to a previous case related to the film Andaz Apna Apna, where objectionable links were ordered to be taken down. The bench clarified that 151 URLs identified in Aishwarya’s case will form part of the removal order.
The court further directed that each violator will face separate legal action, as the scope of the petition is extensive. The order for removal of the flagged URLs will be uploaded by this evening, with the next hearing scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Aishwarya Rai’s Career
On the work front, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1” (2022) and “Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2” (2023), where she portrayed the powerful character of Nandini. Her performance received critical acclaim and won her multiple awards.
