Manoj Bajpayee has approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection for his personality rights amid concerns over the unauthorised use of his image, voice and identity. The actor has raised issues involving commercial use of his photographs as well as artificial intelligence tools allegedly being used to recreate aspects of his persona.
The development comes at a time when AI-generated voices, images and digital identities of public figures are increasingly becoming a legal concern. The Manoj Bajpayee personality rights case brings these questions into focus as the actor seeks safeguards against the use of identifiable elements associated with him without permission.
The matter was heard briefly by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav on September 21, 2026. Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar appeared for Bajpayee.
Alleged Commercial Use of Manoj Bajpayee’s Images
One of the issues raised before the court concerns H2PG Designs Private Limited. According to the allegations placed before the court, the company used photographs of Manoj Bajpayee in a manner that allegedly suggested that the actor was wearing suits manufactured by the company.
The actor has objected to such use of his photographs, arguing that his identity should not be commercially associated with products or services without his authorisation.
The case therefore extends beyond conventional concerns about photographs appearing online. It also involves the question of whether a celebrity’s recognisable identity can be used to create an impression of endorsement when no such endorsement has been given.
AI-Generated Voice Also Under Scrutiny
Another important aspect of the Manoj Bajpayee personality rights plea involves artificial intelligence. The court was informed that another defendant was allegedly using AI tools to generate the actor’s voice.
AI technology can recreate recognisable voices using existing audio material, raising questions about consent and commercial exploitation when the resulting voice is presented as belonging to a real person.
Bajpayee has also raised concerns about AI chatbots allegedly using elements associated with his personality. His petition seeks protection against such unauthorised exploitation of his identity.
The case highlights how personality rights are becoming increasingly relevant in an era where technology can reproduce not only photographs but also voices and other identifiable characteristics.
Why Did Manoj Bajpayee Approach Delhi High Court?
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court also raised a question about jurisdiction. Justice Kaurav asked why Bajpayee had approached the Delhi High Court when the actor is primarily based in Mumbai.
His counsel explained that some of the defendants are located in Delhi, providing a basis for the court to exercise jurisdiction over the matter.
The court also discussed how cases involving personality rights could potentially be handled more efficiently, particularly when defendants do not appear to contest the proceedings.
The judge asked Bajpayee's counsel to prepare a compilation of interim and final orders from previous personality-rights cases. The counsel was also asked to place relevant orders from other High Courts on record.
Other Celebrities Have Sought Personality Rights Protection
The Manoj Bajpayee personality rights case comes amid a growing number of legal proceedings involving celebrities and the unauthorised use of their names, images, voices and likenesses.
The Delhi High Court has previously dealt with personality-rights cases involving several public figures. Actors including Tabu, Allu Arjun, Mohanlal, Kajol, R Madhavan and Jr NTR have sought or received court protection in matters concerning their identities.
Other public figures, including cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Sunil Gavaskar and singer Jubin Nautiyal, have also been involved in similar proceedings.
There have also been cases involving Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar and Salman Khan, highlighting the wider legal debate surrounding the commercial and digital use of celebrity identities.
AI Creates New Challenges for Celebrity Rights
The Manoj Bajpayee personality rights petition comes at a time when artificial intelligence has made it easier to create realistic digital representations of public figures.
Traditional personality-rights disputes often involved unauthorised photographs, names, signatures, merchandise or fake endorsements. AI has expanded the issue by making it possible to recreate voices, generate realistic images and simulate recognisable characteristics.
For actors and other public figures, this can create confusion about whether they actually endorsed a product, appeared in an advertisement or made a particular statement.
Recent legal cases in India have increasingly brought these issues before courts, with judges examining how existing personality and publicity-rights principles apply to new technologies.
What Happens Next in Manoj Bajpayee’s Case?
At this stage, the Manoj Bajpayee personality rights proceedings concern the actor's plea seeking protection against alleged unauthorised exploitation of his identity. The court has raised jurisdiction and procedural questions and asked his counsel to provide material from earlier personality-rights cases.
The case could become another important development in the evolving legal discussion around celebrities, artificial intelligence and digital identity in India.
For Manoj Bajpayee, the immediate concern is protecting identifiable aspects of his persona from alleged commercial and AI-related misuse. As the proceedings continue, the Delhi High Court's observations and any subsequent orders will determine how the matter progresses.
The case also reflects a broader challenge facing public figures in the digital era: ensuring that their names, images, voices and recognisable personal attributes are not presented to audiences in ways they have not authorised.
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