The Delhi High Court has stopped an AI-generated film using actor Pawan Kalyan’s son, Akira Nandan’s, identity without consent. The court ordered immediate takedown of the film and related content, citing irreparable damage to his reputation and privacy. This ruling highlights concerns over unauthorized AI and deepfake technology exploitation.
The Delhi High Court has halted the circulation and broadcast of an AI-generated film that exploited the name, personality, and likeness of Akira Nandan, the son of actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Justice Tushar Tao Gadela passed the order while hearing a suit filed by Akira Nandan alias Akira Desai, against Sambhawaami Studios LLP and others.
Allegations of unauthorized AI use
According to the suit, the defendant created and uploaded a movie of around one hour on YouTube, which featured the plaintiff Akira in the lead role without his authorisation or permission. The studio claimed it to be the world’s first global AI movie. This violated Akira’s right to privacy and personality rights.“Plaintiff also claims that the AI morphing content portraying fabricated intimate/romantic scenes involving the plaintiff without any authorisation has already had, and has the potential to irreparably damage his name, image, goodwill and reputation resulting from the infringement of the copyright of his personality,” the court said, as reported by PTI.It further stated that the alleged misuse of AI and deep fake technology also violates his personality rights, moral rights, publicity rights and the right to privacy, as well as breach of copyright recognised under law. It is also claimed that the said infringement also attempts to defraud the innocent members of the public, the court added.“Upon overall appreciation of the facts of the case, prima facie, it appears that the plaintiff is a prominent personality belonging to a highly reputed family in the entertainment industry in the state of Andhra Pradesh,” the court said, in its order dated January 23. “The irreparable injury and loss that the plaintiff may suffer, if no restraint orders are passed, would be irreparable, in as much as, a dent to the personality and the very image of the plaintiff can neither be measured in monetary terms nor be resurrected conveniently,” the court said.
Court orders the takedown of the AI film and related content
The court passed an ex parte ad-interim relief, and ordered the removal of the AI film, related clips, shorts, and promotional material from across platforms with immediate effect. The court also restrained the defendants, including Sambhawaami Studios LLP and others, from any further exploitation of Akira’s persona through AI or deepfake technologies.It further said, “Defendant 3 (Meta Platforms) is directed to inform the user of the infringing URLs…qua direction for take down in 72 hours, in case the user fails to take down the content, the defendant 3 will take down the said content.”The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 5. Go to Source
