Delhi High Court delivers justice to Kajol, fortifying her personality rights and deeming consent-less use of her images, videos, or name a serious crime. Following Ajay Devgn’s trailblazing 2024 win, this verdict intensifies Bollywood’s war on unauthorized digital replicas.
The court’s multifaceted order includes takedown notices for obscene content and a total embargo on AI-deepfake exploitation. Commercial entities face bans on using her persona for endorsements, closing loopholes exploited by rogue advertisers.
Deepfakes have exploded online, with stars’ faces grafted onto promotional clips or pornographic videos sans permission. This not only monetizes fame illicitly but distorts public perception through deceptive media. Precedents like Vivek Oberoi’s affirm tech-enabled image theft as actionable torts.
The roster of protected celebs is impressive: Hindi cinema’s Madhavan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Amitabh Bachchan; South’s Pawan Kalyan and Junior NTR. Ajay Devgn’s suit already neutralized deepfake threats against him, setting the stage for Kajol’s success.
In an era where AI blurs reality, this ruling is a beacon. It compels tech giants to police content rigorously and signals to creators the perils of unethical innovation. Kajol, celebrated for her versatile roles, now wields legal armor to defend her brand.
Industry analysts predict a ripple effect, spurring policy updates and tech safeguards. This protection isn’t just for Kajol—it’s a blueprint for all public figures grappling with the AI onslaught, ensuring authenticity triumphs over fabrication.