3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Oct 17, 2025 12:42 AM IST
The actor has alleged "large-scale misuse" of his persona through Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated and deep fake images and videos. (Express file photo)
Granting an ad-interim relief to Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, the Bombay High Court has restrained certain websites, social media accounts and others including John Doe (all unknown persons), from misusing his personality rights without his consent or authorisation.
The court on October 15 passed an order on the actor’s interim application in his commercial intellectual property rights infringement suit seeking removal of the infringing content and restraining the platforms from misappropriation of his personality rights and moral rights.
This includes the use of his name, voice, image, or likeness through AI-generated content, deepfake videos, and voice cloning. The copy of order was made available on Thursday
“What is truly alarming in a number of these cases is the realistic nature of deep fake images/videos that are being created by using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Both in the context of images and videos, the morphing is so sophisticated and deceptive that it is virtually impossible to discern that the same are not genuine images/videos of thePlaintiff,” a single-judge bench of Justice Arif S Doctor observed in its order.
The court said that “deep fake video of Kumar making communally inflammatory statements and statements about Maharishi Valmiki is deeply concerning”.
“The consequences that can arise from such content being disseminated are indeed most grave and serious. Apart from violating and affecting the plaintiff’s personality and moral rights, such videos also pose a grave threat to the safety and well-being of the plaintiff’s family members and can also have an adverse and widespread impact on society and public order, which clearly appears to bethe agenda of those who create such content,’ Justice Doctor recorded.
Therefore, the judge said, such content “needed to be removed from the public domain immediately, not only in the interest of the plaintiff but also in the larger public interest.”
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The actor had approached the High Court seeking urgent interim relief alleging large-scale misuse of his identity through AI-generated content, counterfeit merchandise, and deceptive ads on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, was causing “irreparable harm” to his reputation.
During the hearing, senior advocate Birendra Saraf, representing Kumar, cited several examples, including a fake movie trailer that falsely depicted Kumar as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which garnered nearly two million views before being taken down.
Another AI-generated trailer for a non-existent film titled “Maharshi Valmiki” misled the public and triggered protests.
The high court, pending final disposal of application, also directed other defendant social media platforms to take down and remove access to the infringed material. The HC will hear the plea next on November 12.
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Kumar is the third celebrity who availed such a relief from the HC within the last three weeks. Earlier, Justice Doctor protected veteran singer Asha Bhosle and Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty through two interim orders granting similar reliefs.
Last year, a single-judge bench of Justice Riyaz Chagla had protected the personality rights of singer Arijit Singh.
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
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Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
