Kangana Ranaut’s personality rights case:Delhi High Court orders removal of AI videos within 72 hours; know the whole matter

Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has received interim relief from the Delhi High Court in a case involving AI-generated deepfakes and other misleading content using her identity. The court has directed Meta to remove the identified content or block access to it within 72 hours of receiving the relevant information and a copy of the order. It has also asked the concerned government departments to take steps to block the websites identified in the petition. Kangana approached the court, alleging that objectionable content was being circulated online in her name. This included AI-generated obscene images, edited videos, fake statements and material that falsely suggested she had said or done things she had not. Her counsel argued that such content violated her privacy and harmed her reputation, dignity and identity. The court issued notice on the petition during the hearing on October 8. The interim relief was reported on October 12. Content must be removed within 72 hours Under the order, Meta must remove the identified objectionable material or restrict access to it within the specified time. The content includes videos, reels, social media posts and other material that misuses Kangana’s identity. The petition also raises concerns about unauthorised deepfake videos, altered audio and visuals, fabricated speeches, obscene content and false endorsements presented as if they were genuine. Action report must be submitted The concerned parties have been directed to file affidavits of compliance in court. Kangana has also been allowed to send the concerned parties links to any such content that comes to light later. Before Kangana Ranaut, several celebrities, including Janhvi Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, had already secured personality rights. What are personality rights and what are their benefits? Personality rights are rights related to an individual’s persona. These may give a person the right to seek legal protection against the unauthorised use of their name, photograph, voice, identity and other aspects associated with their distinctive identity. Examples include Salman’s bracelet, Shah Rukh’s iconic pose and Jackie Shroff’s nickname ” भिडू”. In simple terms, an individual’s identity belongs to them. No one else can use their photograph, voice or identity to create content that could mislead people or harm that person’s reputation. Legal action can be taken in such cases. For example- In these cases, depending on the circumstances, questions may arise regarding personality rights, privacy, defamation or other legal rights. However, not every use is automatically unlawful. The nature of the case, permission, context and applicable laws are important. Does this mean memes cannot be made about celebrities either? Protecting personality rights does not mean that every form of criticism, satire or meme about a celebrity is prohibited. In Kangana’s case, the relief sought on her behalf was primarily against allegedly obscene, fake and misleading content. During the hearing, her lawyer had made it clear that, at that time, they were not seeking relief against memes. Creating a satirical meme using a celebrity’s image is not, in itself, illegal in every situation. However, creating a fake obscene video using AI, circulating a false statement as genuine or making unauthorised commercial use of someone’s identity may provide grounds for legal action. These celebrities also secured personality rights- Amitabh Bachchan (2022) approached the Delhi High Court against the unauthorised use of his name, voice and image. The court granted interim protection to restrain fake advertisements, merchandise and the commercial misuse of his identity. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (2025) approached the Delhi High Court against AI-generated images, fake websites and the alleged misuse of her identity. The actress’s lawyer, Sandeep Sethi, told the court about websites that claimed to be official platforms and were selling various unauthorised products, including mugs, T-shirts and drinks bearing Aishwarya’s name and photographs. According to Live Law, Justice Tejas Karia, who was hearing the case, said that online platforms and people who alter Aishwarya’s photographs or use her personality without permission would be restrained. Salman Khan (2025) The actor filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the commercial use of his name, voice, image and personality. In December 2025, the court directed social media platforms to take action under the IT Rules on the complaint. Arijit Singh (2024) The singer took legal action against the AI cloning of his voice and the unauthorised use of his name and identity. The case involved an AI-generated voice and digital content. Suniel Shetty (2025) The actor approached the Bombay High Court against the alleged unauthorised use of his photographs and identity. He said his photographs were being used without permission on business websites, including gambling and astrology platforms. He also sought action against merchandise being sold using his name and image. He further referred to a case in which a deepfake image of him and his granddaughter had been created. Anil Kapoor (2023) He filed a petition against the use of his “Jhakaas” dialogue, voice, photographs and mannerisms. The court ordered a halt to the unauthorised commercial use of his identity. Jackie Shroff (2024) approached the court against the use of his name, voice, image and identity associated with the nickname ‘Bhidू’. The case concerned the misuse of his identity in AI-generated content, merchandise and on digital platforms. Janhvi Kapoor (2026) The actress approached the court to protect her personality rights. In connection with her personality rights case, she sought action against around 6,884 URLs available on the internet. These included alleged obscene content, as well as instances involving the misuse of her photographs and identity. The Delhi High Court initially deemed the content available on 552 URLs to be highly obscene or pornographic and ordered its removal. The court held that the content remaining online could cause irreparable harm to the actress. Abhishek Bachchan (2025) sought legal protection against the unauthorised use of his name, photographs and persona. His petition included the issue of the commercial misuse of digital content and his identity. Karan Johar (2025) the filmmaker filed a petition against alleged deepfakes, morphed videos and other digital content using his identity. Nagarjuna (2025) The Telugu actor approached the court against the alleged misuse of his identity in AI-generated obscene deepfakes, photographs and other digital content. He was granted interim protection. Hrithik Roshan (2025) The actor sought legal protection against the unauthorised use of his identity and photographs. Jaya Bachchan (2025) She sought legal protection against the unauthorised use of her name, image and identity. Her case was among those involving the digital misuse of a celebrity’s identity. Ajay Devgn (2025) The actor is among the celebrities who have secured legal protection against the unauthorised use of their identity. In such cases, the misuse of names, images and digital content has been a key issue. Varun Dhawan (2026) The actor filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against counterfeit merchandise and objectionable videos and images generated using AI. The court’s order included directions to restrain the unauthorised use of his identity. Ravi Kishan (2026) The actor and MP sought legal protection against the use of his identity in AI-generated fake voices, images and fraudulent advertisements. Along with granting protection, the court also directed social media and digital platforms to remove objectionable and misleading content published on them. The Delhi High Court passed the order on 2 July. Jubin Nautiyal (2026) The singer sought legal protection against imitation of his voice, AI-generated content and the unauthorised use of his identity. The case concerns AI voice cloning and the use of his voice on digital platforms. Vivek Oberoi (2026) The actor sought legal protection against AI deepfakes and the alleged misuse of his identity. His case concerns the limits within which a celebrity’s identity can be used on digital platforms. Vijay Deverakonda (2026) The actor approached the court against AI-generated deepfakes, fake endorsements and the unauthorised use of his identity. Interim protection was also granted in his case in October.