Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Vs Aishwaryaworld.com

Case Title: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Vs Aishwaryaworld.com & Ors.

Order Date: 09 September 2025

Case Number: CS(COMM) 956/2025

Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi

Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tejas Karia

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of India’s most celebrated actresses and a global cultural icon, approached the Delhi High Court claiming violation of her personality rights. She alleged that various websites, e-commerce platforms, apps, YouTube channels, and even AI-based tools were using her name, image, and persona without permission. 

Some platforms falsely portrayed themselves as her official site, others sold merchandise like T-shirts and mugs with her image, while certain AI chatbots and YouTube channels created fake and even sexually explicit content using her likeness. She argued that these activities misled the public into believing she endorsed them, harmed her reputation, and commercially exploited her persona without authorization.

The dispute centered on whether defendants could exploit Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s identity for commercial or other purposes without her consent. The plaintiff maintained that such unauthorized use amounted to infringement of her publicity and personality rights, copyright, performer’s rights, and also constituted passing off and unfair competition.

The Court explained that personality rights include the right to control and protect one’s name, image, likeness, and other unique attributes. Their unauthorized use can not only cause financial loss but also harm an individual’s dignity and privacy, thus undermining their right to live with respect. The Court relied on earlier cases such as Anil Kapoor v. Simply Life India (2023), Amitabh Bachchan v. Rajat Nagi (2022), and Jaikishan Kakubhai Saraf v. Peppy Store (2024), where protection was given against similar misuse. 

It clarified that while free speech permits information, news, satire, or parody, it cannot extend to unauthorized commercial gain or obscene content that tarnishes reputation. The Court observed that the plaintiff had built immense goodwill and that misuse of her identity in merchandise or AI-generated explicit content caused confusion, diluted her reputation, and violated her contractual brand endorsements. Thus, the plaintiff had made out a strong prima facie case, balance of convenience was in her favour, and denial of protection would cause irreparable harm.

The Court granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction. Defendants were restrained from using Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s name, image, likeness, or any element of her persona, including through AI, deepfakes, or morphing, without her consent. They were also directed to remove and block infringing URLs and products within 72 hours. Google (YouTube) was ordered to disable deepfake and misleading videos and provide subscriber details of offending channels. Government authorities were directed to block and disable listed infringing URLs. 

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Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney], High Court of Del