Snehashish roy
Actor couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have taken a decisive stand against the growing menace of deepfake content. According to a Reuters report, the two have filed legal action against YouTube and its parent company Google, seeking $450,000 (nearly ₹4 crore) in damages, along with a permanent injunction to prevent the misuse of their likeness through artificial intelligence–generated videos.
The case highlights a pressing concern within the entertainment industry: the rise of AI-driven deepfakes that blur the line between real and fabricated content, often with damaging consequences for celebrities.
Allegations in the Lawsuits
The lawsuits, filed separately by Abhishek and Aishwarya, reportedly contain hundreds of links and screenshots of YouTube videos that the actors describe as “egregious,” “sexually explicit,” or “fictitious” AI-generated material. The couple argues that these videos not only harm their reputation but also pose larger questions about how platforms regulate the misuse of artificial intelligence.
According to Reuters, the filings, dated September 6, raise particular concern over YouTube’s content and third-party training policies. These policies, the actors claim, allow users to give consent for their videos to be used in training AI models — a loophole that risks the further spread of infringing and misleading content.
The Risk of AI Misuse
The filings reportedly warn that when such harmful content is used to train AI systems, the problem is compounded. The documents state:
“Such content being used to train AI models has the potential to multiply the instances of use of any infringing content, i.e. first being uploaded on YouTube, being viewed by the public, and then also being used to train.”
The couple further argues that if AI platforms are trained on biased or defamatory content, the technology will inevitably learn and replicate these falsehoods. This, they claim, not only infringes their intellectual property rights but also risks spreading untrue and damaging portrayals across digital platforms.
Court Proceedings So Far
The matter is currently being heard in the Delhi High Court. Last month, the court asked Google’s legal representatives to submit written responses before the next scheduled hearing on January 15. Until then, the case has drawn considerable attention as one of the high-profile legal battles over AI misuse in India.
Legal experts believe that this case could set a significant precedent in how Indian courts deal with the intersection of celebrity rights, intellectual property, and AI-generated content.
Why This Matters
The misuse of AI to generate deepfake videos has become a global issue. From fake political speeches to manipulated celebrity clips, the technology has sparked debates about consent, regulation, and digital ethics. For actors like Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, whose personal and professional lives are constantly under public scrutiny, the stakes are even higher.
By taking legal action, the Bachchans are not only safeguarding their own reputations but also drawing attention to the urgent need for stricter controls on AI content moderation. Their move may inspire other public figures to pursue similar actions, especially as deepfake content becomes harder for audiences to distinguish from reality.
The Bachchans’ Film Updates
Away from the courtroom, both Abhishek and Aishwarya continue to maintain active careers in cinema.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), where her performance earned widespread praise. She has not yet officially announced her next project, though speculation about upcoming films continues to follow her.
Abhishek Bachchan was most recently seen in Madhumita’s Kaalidhar Laapata, co-starring Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Daivik Bhagela. Looking ahead, he is set to appear in Siddharth Anand’s King, a star-studded project that will feature Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of this case will be closely watched, not just by fans of the Bachchans but also by the global entertainment community. As AI technology continues to advance, questions of privacy, consent, and accountability will only grow louder.
For now, Abhishek and Aishwarya’s legal challenge signals a strong pushback against the unchecked rise of deepfake exploitation — a move that could shape the future of digital rights in India.