Abhishek, Aishwarya move Delhi HC, seek ₹4 cr in damages for AI-generated deepfake content

Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan have initiated legal action against YouTube and its parent company Google, seeking ₹4 crore in damages. The lawsuit follows the appearance of several alleged AI-generated deepfake videos of the couple on the platform.

The petition, filed on September 6, comes after a recent Delhi High Court order safeguarding the personality rights of the Bachchans. The couple has requested the removal and permanent ban of videos infringing upon their intellectual property.

In addition, the legal move urges YouTube to implement measures preventing content featuring the actors from being used to train rival AI models, reflecting growing concerns over AI misuse in digital content creation.

The actors aim to prevent the misuse of their images, likeness, and persona on digital platforms, including any manipulated or inappropriate content.

Abhishek reportedly requested that websites and online platforms be barred from using his image, likeness, persona, or circulating manipulated videos, including any sexually explicit content.

Advocate Pravin Anand, appearing for Abhishek, stated that the defendants have been generating AI-created videos and fabricated photos of the actor, including sexually explicit material. The ‘Dasvi’ actor was also represented by advocates Ameet Naik, Madhu Gadodia, and Dhruv Anand.

As per reports, the 49-year-old actor filed a petition targeting a website named Bollywood Tee Shop, which produces T-shirts featuring Bollywood celebrities. The actor claimed that his images and overall persona are being used without his consent, raising concerns about potential online fraud through fake identities of public figures. In his plea, Bachchan sought court orders to shut down the website and other offenders and requested the removal of all related online links from platforms like Google and YouTube.

In a statement, Ameet Nayak, Abhishek Bachchan’s lawyer’s partner, stated, “The law on personality rights has evolved over time thanks to our judiciary giving recognition. We are fortunate to have been the first ones to get the order for Mr Amitabh Bachchan, followed by Mr Anil Kapoor, Mr Jackie Shroff and now for Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan. Such orders are the need of the hour and absolutely necessary to prevent misuse of celebrity attributes, particularly through AI and other digital tools.”

On September 9, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her personality rights, highlighting the unauthorised use of her name, images, and public persona on digital platforms and commercial products.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)