The Delhi High Court will hear the personality rights suits of actors Vivek Oberoi and Janhvi Kapoor and of Aaradhya Bachchan together, using them to settle what such rights cover before it turns to the many similar cases on its list.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said a large batch would make hearings harder to manage, so he will work out principles from these three and then apply them to the others one by one. The pending suits come from film stars, influencers and other public figures, and mix claims over commercial use of a name, face or voice with claims based on privacy, dignity and reputation.
The earlier orders show what is at stake. Oberoi won interim protection in February against unauthorised use of his name, image, likeness and voice, AI-generated content included. In Kapoor's suit the court declined in August to block about 6,884 links in one sweep, limiting relief to obscene material, content that directly cashes in on her persona and merchandise using her name.
Amicus curiae Gautam Bhatia, appointed in Kapoor's suit on 3 September, described the task as separating the right into its parts. He told the court that commercial claims turn on how recognisable a person is, while privacy or dignity claims should be treated the same for everyone. The other suits now go to the Joint Registrar to complete pleadings, and one, filed by Akira Nandan, was reported settled.
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