Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Legal Action Against AI-Altered Images: The Rise of Image Misuse

On September 9, 2025, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan approached the Delhi High Court, asking for protection of her personality and publicity rights. She did the same, in a bid to remove content that used her name, or pictures without authorisation, and even digitally manipulated images from the internet.

Her lawyer, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, even highlighted AI-generated and intimate content that was fake doing the rounds on some digital platforms.

Read: Decoding Deepfakes: Protecting Oneself & Legal Remedies, Experts Weigh In

The court, under Justice Tejas Karia, signalled that it was willing to issue injunctions to curb and stop such misuse.

What Aishwarya Rai’s Petition Highlights

Rai’s lawyer highlighted how her images have been used widely in merchandising, without her consent.

“Please see second defendant. Aishwarya Rai wallpapers, photos etc. The third defendant is a collection of T-shirts, her pictures on T-shirts are sold," advocate Sethi submitted.

 

 

 

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Additionally, Aishwarya Rai’s counsel also submitted examples of explicit, AI-generated pictures circulating online featuring her likeness. The photos resembled her; they were fake and manipulated. This was content she didn’t authorise and which she described as deeply offensive.

The court noted the seriousness of the issue and hinted at issuing an ad-interim injunction to halt further misuse, particularly of specific URL links flagged in the petition. Justice Karia said that individual orders against the defendants may be issued later.

The Rise of AI-generated Images and Videos

Aishwarya Rai’s case is important as it sets a precedent for others facing similar concerns of identity theft through AI-generated images and videos.

One of the earliest instances of AI misuse was a viral deepfake video from 2023, of a Rashmika Mandanna (supposedly) in a strappy black top, entering a lift.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya’s father-in-law, had then expressed concern, highlighting that it was a strong case for legal action.

yes this is a strong case for legal https://t.co/wHJl7PSYPN

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) November 5, 2023

There have been reports of multiple videos of actors Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani and Kajol can also be found. This highlights how Rai’s experience is not a singular one, and the issue is rampant.

Read: This Creator Found Herself Endorsing a Product She’s Always Opposed, Thanks to a Deepfake

Content creators have also been affected by these. Earlier this year, creator Satshya Tharien found a deepfake video of herself, with a dubbed voice, used for advertising products she had never endorsed.

Around the world, celebrities and ordinary individuals alike are grappling with the misuse of their images through deepfakes, morphed photos, and AI-generated content. Legal experts have long argued that India needs stronger, more comprehensive laws to tackle digital impersonation and AI misuse.