Cinema VinesThe Delhi High Court has issued a final decree in favour of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, ruling that several parties and unidentified individuals are barred from commercial use of his name, image, voice or likeness without his explicit consent. The judgment, delivered by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, concludes proceedings that began with an interim injunction in November 2022.
The court affirmed that the right to control the commercial exploitation of an individual’s identity falls under the “right to publicity.” It found that Bachchan’s name and photographs had been used without permission in a variety of contexts that could mislead the public into believing that he endorsed certain products or services. The infringements included a mobile application called “Amitabh Bachchan Video Call,” promotional messages for a purported “Kaun Banega Crorepati” lottery, a general‑knowledge quiz book that featured his photograph, as well as T‑shirts, posters and domain names that incorporated his identity.
The decree also extends protection to unidentified parties, often referred to as John Does, who have continued to exploit Bachchan’s persona through anonymous websites, applications, posters and messaging platforms. The court noted that the individuals responsible for these activities may not always be identifiable, yet the use of his identity remains unlawful.
Four defendants—Rajat Nagi, Manoj Publications, Tamatina and Mahesh Patel—settled with Bachchan and acknowledged his publicity and privacy rights. As part of the settlement, they agreed to cease using his identity, delete the video‑call application, stop publishing the quiz book, discontinue the sale of posters and remove the domain name amitabhbachchan.in. The remaining defendants failed to appear in court or submit written statements, leading the court to grant a summary judgment against them. The court also clarified that Bachchan may initiate fresh proceedings should any further unauthorized use of his persona occur.
The November 2022 interim injunction has now been merged with the final decree, solidifying the actor’s control over the commercial use of his image and name. The decision underscores the growing recognition of personality rights in India and sets a precedent for how celebrities can protect their brand from unauthorized exploitation.
