Delhi HC Upholds Hrithik Roshan’s Rights, Retains Fan Pages

Delhi High Court Protects Hrithik Roshan’s Personality Rights, Declines to Remove Fan Pages

Court Orders Removal of Unauthorized Commercial Links and AI Content Using Actor’s Name and Image

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora Says Fan Pages Cannot Be Taken Down Without Proof of Defamation or Profit Motive

By Our Legal Reporter

New Delhi: October 15, 2025:

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, directing the removal of online links and listings that misuse his name, image, and persona for commercial gain. However, the Court refused to order the immediate takedown of the actor’s fan pages on social media, stating that such platforms are not defamatory or profit driven.

The order, delivered by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, highlights the growing importance of personality rights in the digital age, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and unauthorized online content.

What the Court Ordered

The Court directed that:

Unauthorized commercial links using Hrithik Roshan’s name and photos to sell merchandise such as bags, clothes, and accessories must be removed.
AI-generated content and videos using his likeness without permission should be taken down.
Dance tutorials and other content using his film clips without authorization must also be removed.

At the same time, the Court declined to grant ex parte relief against Instagram fan pages and clubs, observing that these pages did not appear to be defamatory or commercially exploitative.

Why Fan Pages Were Protected

Justice Arora noted that fan pages are often created out of admiration and do not necessarily harm the celebrity’s reputation or exploit their image for profit.

The Court stated:

Fan pages cannot be equated with commercial misuse.
Unless there is evidence of defamation, impersonation, or profiteering, such pages should not be taken down.
The Court emphasized that celebrity-fan relationships are an important part of public life and should not be unnecessarily restricted.

This distinction between commercial exploitation and genuine fan activity is significant, as it sets a precedent for how courts may handle similar cases involving other celebrities.

The Rise of Personality Rights Cases in India

Hrithik Roshan is not the first Bollywood actor to approach the courts for protection of personality rights. In recent months, several stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff, have sought legal remedies against unauthorized use of their names, voices, and images.

The trend reflects growing concerns about:

AI-generated deepfakes that mimic celebrities.
Unauthorized endorsements where a star’s image is used to sell products without consent.
E-commerce misuse, where sellers use celebrity photos to attract buyers.

Legal experts say that personality rights are becoming as important as intellectual property rights, especially in the entertainment industry.

Hrithik Roshan’s Arguments

Hrithik Roshan, represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that:

His name and image were being used without permission to sell products.
Unauthorized videos and AI content were circulating online, misleading the public.
Such misuse not only violated his personality rights but also caused financial and reputational harm.

The Court agreed with these arguments in part, granting relief against commercial misuse but stopping short of restricting fan activity.

Why This Case Matters

The ruling is important for several reasons:

Balance Between Rights and Expression
- The Court protected Hrithik Roshan’s right to control the commercial use of his image.
- At the same time, it preserved the right of fans to express admiration through non-commercial pages.
Guidance for Future Cases
- The decision provides a framework for distinguishing between harmful misuse and harmless fan activity.
- It will likely influence how courts handle similar disputes involving other public figures.
Impact of AI and Technology
- With AI-generated content becoming more common, the ruling underscores the need for legal safeguards against misuse.
- It also signals that courts are aware of the challenges posed by new technologies.

Legal Experts React

Legal commentators have welcomed the judgment as a balanced approach.

Some argue that it strengthens celebrity rights without stifling fan culture.
Others caution that the line between fan activity and commercial exploitation can sometimes be blurred, and future cases may test these boundaries.

Advocates also note that India may soon need a comprehensive law on personality rights, as current protections are scattered across intellectual property, privacy, and tort law.

The Bigger Picture: Celebrity Rights in the Age of AI

The Hrithik Roshan case is part of a larger global debate on how to protect celebrities from misuse of their identity.

In the United States, several states have “right of publicity” laws that give celebrities control over the commercial use of their persona.
In India, courts have recognized personality rights under the broader umbrella of privacy and intellectual property, but there is no standalone law yet.
With the rise of AI deepfakes, the urgency for clear legal frameworks is greater than ever.

Conclusion

The Delhi High Court’s ruling in Hrithik Roshan’s case strikes a careful balance between protecting a celebrity’s personality rights and preserving the freedom of fan expression. By ordering the removal of unauthorized commercial links while refusing to take down fan pages, the Court has set a precedent that could shape the future of digital rights in India.

As more celebrities turn to the courts for protection, this case may serve as a landmark in defining the boundaries of personality rights in the digital era.