Now, a battle between AI and Akshay Kumar

The Bombay High Court has granted Akshay Kumar protection against deepfakes.

The court gave a thumbs-up

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday indicated it would issue an interim order in favor of actor Akshay Kumar.

This order will protect his image and personality from the misuse of deepfake videos and AI-generated content.

The court stated that such misuse not only harms his image but can also have serious consequences.

What was the complaint?

Akshay Kumar, whose legal name is Akshay Hari Om Bhatia, filed a civil suit seeking to prevent any individual or entity from using his personal identity for commercial purposes without his permission.

His lawyer, Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, emphasized that this is not just an individual complaint, but a serious issue.

How ​​was it being misused?

Akshay’s petition highlighted several instances where his name, image, voice, and mannerisms were used for fake advertisements and merchandise.

This was evident on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and e-commerce sites.

In March 2025, a fake film trailer created by AI even went viral, forcing Akshay to publicly deny it.

The Impact of AI is Dangerous

In one video, he was portrayed as UP CM Yogi Adityanath, while in another, his comments about sage Valmiki were misrepresented.

His lawyer warned that such videos could trigger “instant reactions” before the truth could be revealed.

A gambling platform and a website called ‘AkshayKumar.AI’ even offered the option of imitating his voice.

Celebrities Raise Their Voice

Akshay Kumar is among several Indian celebrities who are approaching the courts to protect their “personality rights.”

In the past few months, the Bombay High Court has granted similar protections to celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Karan Johar, and Asha Bhosle.

These rights prevent the imitation of one’s name, face, voice, and identity.

What are personality rights?

This legal right guarantees every individual that their identity cannot be used commercially without their consent.

It encompasses two rights: the “right to publicity,” which prevents unauthorized commercial exploitation, and the “right to privacy,” which protects against intrusions like deepfakes and fake endorsements.