Bachchans Sue YouTube Over AI Deepfake Videos

Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have approached the Delhi High Court to protect their voices, images, and personality rights amid growing concerns over artificial intelligence. The couple has filed a lawsuit against Google’s YouTube, claiming the platform hosts AI-generated videos that misuse their identities. They are seeking an order to remove such content and prevent its use in AI training.

Court Filings Highlight AI Concerns

According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, the Bachchans are targeting both existing infringing videos and potential future misuse. Their legal team argues that YouTube’s policy allowing creators to use videos for AI training could spread misleading portrayals, harming the actors’ reputation and intellectual property rights.

India Lacks a Specific Personality Rights Law

Currently, India does not have laws equivalent to those of the U.S. states that protect personality rights. However, Bollywood celebrities have increasingly turned to courts to safeguard their image, voice, and likeness. The Bachchans’ case is one of the most high-profile examples, particularly due to its focus on deepfake and AI-generated content. Their team emphasized that harmful material, once uploaded, can multiply if incorporated into AI models.

YouTube’s Expanding Influence in India

With roughly 600 million users, YouTube has become India’s leading video platform. Bollywood content remains one of its most viewed categories. The Bachchans argue that, given YouTube’s reach, the platform has a responsibility to shield artists from misleading and damaging AI content.

Lawsuit Targets Google and Other Misuses

Spanning over 1,500 pages, the lawsuits also challenge smaller vendors selling products using the couple’s likeness, including mugs, posters, stickers, and fake autographs. The Bachchans are seeking $450,000 in damages and a permanent injunction against further misuse. The court has already ordered the removal of 518 links containing offensive or misleading material.

Examples of Misleading AI Content

Court filings cite AI-generated clips showing fabricated scenarios, including:

• Abhishek Bachchan allegedly kissed another actress.

• Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan are dining while Abhishek appears angry.

• A crocodile is chasing Abhishek, with Salman Khan attempting a rescue.

These manipulated videos blur reality and fiction, posing risks to the couple’s reputation and dignity.

AI’s Growing Role in Bollywood Content

Channels like “AI Bollywood Ishq” have uploaded over 250 AI-generated videos with millions of views. These often depict fictional love stories or dramatic scenes involving Bollywood stars. The Bachchans warn that if AI models are trained on such misleading content, false narratives could spread widely.

Legal Experts Comment

Intellectual property law experts say pursuing YouTube directly may be challenging since the platform does not create the content. However, courts may urge stricter policies or faster takedowns to protect celebrities. A Delhi law professor noted that while YouTube might not be directly liable, the case could push for reforms in platform policies to safeguard public figures.

Global Implications of AI Misuse

The lawsuit underscores the wider challenges posed by generative AI in entertainment worldwide. Celebrities face the risk of their likeness being exploited for profit, with the rapid creation of convincing fake videos, images, and voices. YouTube states that creators can opt in for AI training, but this leaves celebrities exposed when infringing content goes viral.

Next Steps in Court

The Delhi High Court has asked Google to submit a formal response. The next hearing is scheduled for January 15, 2026. The outcome could set a precedent in India for how online platforms handle AI-generated content and shape future policies protecting artists.