Court steps in after AI misuse
Naga Chaitanya has approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection against a flood of manipulated online content. The actor’s petition targets deepfake videos, AI-generated material, and misleading posts that have been circulating widely across social media platforms. His legal team raised serious concerns about multiple websites and pages using his identity without permission.
Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar argued that several platforms were found using explicit search tags linked to the actor to boost traffic. The petition also highlighted edited visuals and fabricated videos that allegedly show Chaitanya in inappropriate or false situations created using advanced AI tools. These clips and images were reportedly being shared without any factual basis, causing significant harm to the actor’s reputation.
False claims and trolling flagged
During the hearing before Justice Jyoti Singh, the court was informed about misleading posts that also referenced Chaitanya’s former wife, superstar Samantha Ruth Prabhu. These posts allegedly included false claims of infidelity and accusations linking the actor to damage in her professional life. His legal counsel described such material as unfair and harmful, stating, ‘This is trolling, this is not fair criticism,’ as quoted in court proceedings.
The petition argues that such narratives are not only misleading but also deeply damaging to personal dignity. Justice Jyoti Singh acknowledged that public figures are more exposed to scrutiny but made it clear that there are legal boundaries. The court noted that while celebrities remain in the public eye, content that crosses into defamation or manipulation cannot be ignored. One of the disputed links was also described as ‘borderline’ during the hearing, indicating concern over the nature of online content being circulated.
Dynamic injunction sought for protection
Chaitanya has sought a dynamic injunction from the court to prevent the continuous reappearance of similar content under different links or platforms. His legal team also highlighted the use of voice cloning and AI-based editing tools to create misleading audiovisual material. Additionally, the plea flagged unauthorized commercial use of his name and image, including online merchandise being sold without consent.
The petition stressed that such misuse directly affects his personality rights, reputation, and privacy. The Delhi High Court has issued summons in the matter and indicated that an interim order will be passed soon. The next hearing has been scheduled for September 30. The case is being closely watched as it could set an important precedent for handling AI-generated content and personality rights in India.
For those catching up on the timeline: Chaitanya and Samantha got married in 2017 after years of dating and separated in 2021. The two starred together in hits like Ye Maaya Chesave, Manam, and Majili. Chaitanya is currently married to actor Sobhita Dhulipala, while Samantha has moved on in her personal life as well.