Manoj Bajpayee Petitions Delhi High Court Over Unauthorized AI Voice and Image Use

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking to protect his personality rights against the unauthorized commercial use of his image, voice, and identity. The 57-year-old actor, represented by Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar, alleges that various entities have exploited his likeness, including the use of artificial intelligence to replicate his voice and personality traits for chatbots and commercial endorsements.

The petition specifically names H2PG Designs Private Limited, alleging that the company utilized photographs of the actor to falsely imply he was endorsing or wearing their suits. Beyond the commercial misuse of his image, Bajpayee has raised significant concerns regarding the deployment of AI technology to synthesize his voice. The actor is seeking legal protection against such digital recreations, as well as against AI chatbots that incorporate identifiable aspects of his persona without consent.

During the initial hearing before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, the court addressed the question of jurisdiction, noting that Bajpayee is primarily based in Mumbai. Counsel for the actor argued that the presence of certain defendants within Delhi provides the necessary legal basis for the court to hear the matter. Justice Kaurav suggested that such personality rights cases might be handled more efficiently by the Registrar in instances where defendants do not contest the proceedings, aiming to reduce the burden on the court's docket.

The Delhi High Court has become a frequent venue for public figures seeking to safeguard their personality rights against unauthorized exploitation. Bajpayee's plea joins a growing list of similar petitions filed by prominent actors, cricketers, and public figures, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and various others who have previously secured judicial protection. The court has directed Bajpayee's legal team to compile a record of interim and final orders from these earlier cases to guide the current proceedings. The outcome of this petition is expected to further clarify the legal framework surrounding the protection of individual identity against the rising threat of AI-generated content.