Ajay Devgn Gets Relief From Delhi High Court Against AI Deepfakes And Misuse

The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted significant relief to Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn by protecting his personality and publicity rights. The court issued an interim order restraining several websites

and digital platforms from unlawfully using his name, image, voice, or any other attributes of his personality for commercial gain.Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora delivered the ruling in response to Devgn’s suit, placing him among a rising list of Indian celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Johar who are turning to the courts for protection against identity misuse in the digital age, especially amid the surge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake content.

Widespread Misappropriation and Deepfake Abuse

Devgn’s petition highlighted extensive misuse of his identity, particularly the circulation of unauthorised and obscene deepfake material. This included pornographic content and manipulated visuals depicting him in “unpleasant” scenarios with female celebrities. His legal team argued that such content seriously harmed his reputation, which he described as that of a “family friendly personality” endorsed by numerous national brands.Apart from explicit deepfakes, the actor pointed to several other violations:1. Unauthorised MerchandiseE-commerce sites were selling posters, apparel, and other items featuring Devgn’s name and likeness without approval.2. Fake Endorsements and BookingsCertain platforms falsely claimed to offer paid appearances by Devgn, misleading consumers and profiting illegitimately from his fame.3. AI Training ConcernsThe suit further sought to restrict platforms—such as YouTube—from using infringing material to train AI models, introducing a critical dimension to ongoing discussions about digital rights and consent in the age of algorithmic learning.ALSO READ: Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt And Tamannaah Bhatia's Ranger To Release On THIS Date In 2026 - Report

Court’s Action: Immediate Removal of Deepfake and Explicit Content

The High Court ordered an immediate takedown of all AI-generated deepfakes, obscene videos, and sexually explicit content involving Devgn, deeming them impermissible and harmful.However, the court acknowledged the presence of harmless fan-created material, clarified: “You have to give some leeway to fan pages… he will have to erase his footsteps completely" if all general images were removed indiscriminately.

Significance for Personality Rights in India

This ruling strengthens the legal framework surrounding personality and publicity rights in India. It reaffirms that an individual maintains exclusive control over the commercial use of their identity and that such rights, anchored in the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution, cannot be exploited without explicit consent. The judgment serves as a vital safeguard against the growing threat of digital impersonation, deepfakes, and unauthorised AI usage setting an important precedent for celebrity rights in the evolving digital landscape.