Mohit Singh
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The Delhi High Court granted an ex parte ad interim injunction on March 22, 2026, restraining several artificial intelligence platforms, chatbot services, and e-commerce websites from using Sinha’s personality attributes in any form. Justice Jyoti Singh passed the ruling after finding a prima facie case that her identity was being commercially exploited without her knowledge or permission.
What the Court Found
During the proceedings, Sinha’s legal team placed specific infringing URLs before the court, pointing directly to AI chatbot platforms that had built interactive experiences using her persona. The court found that these platforms were not just mimicking her appearance they were generating obscene and objectionable content using her likeness.
Justice Singh’s order noted that such acts were causing irreparable harm to the actress’s reputation and goodwill. The court confirmed that personality and publicity rights protect a celebrity’s name, likeness, and identifiable attributes, and that unauthorised use especially through AI tools constitutes a clear violation.
36-Hour Takedown Order Issued
The court did not stop at simply issuing restraint orders. It directed all named defendant platforms to remove specified infringing URLs within 36 hours of receiving the court’s directions. The list of targeted URLs was appended as Annexure-A to the court order, giving platforms no room for ambiguity.
Defendants have been given 30 days to file their written statements in response to the suit. The case is listed before the Joint Registrar on April 10, 2026, for proceedings related to pleadings and documents, with the injunction application set for further hearing on July 6, 2026.
AI Chatbots and Fake Endorsements: The Core Allegations
The lawsuit targets a broad range of digital violations. According to court records, the defendants include US-based AI platforms, chatbot services, and several online retailers operating in India. The misuse includes building AI chatbots that simulate Sinha’s voice and personality, and using her image to falsely imply product endorsements.
Sinha’s counsel specifically flagged the use of generative AI, deepfakes, and related technologies as tools used to recreate her identity without consent. The court’s order explicitly names these technologies and bars their use in connection with her persona.
Not the First Attack on Her Digital Identity
This legal battle did not emerge from nowhere. As early as 2024, a deepfake video of Sonakshi Sinha had already circulated online, in which her face was digitally swapped onto another woman’s body during a ramp walk. The Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) confirmed the video was manipulated using AI face-swapping techniques after running it through forensic detection tools.
That incident appeared to mark a turning point in how Sinha’s team approached the threat. The current lawsuit reflects a far more structured legal response one that targets platforms directly rather than individual content creators.
Part of a Broader Celebrity Rights Movement
Sinha’s case places her among a growing list of Indian celebrities taking formal legal action against AI-driven identity theft. Ranveer Singh previously filed an FIR after a deepfake video showed him appearing to endorse a political party with his voice replicated by AI.
The pattern is consistent: AI tools are being weaponised to generate fake celebrity content at scale, often for commercial or political gain, with little accountability for the platforms hosting such tools. Courts in India have begun recognising personality rights as a legitimate legal category, making rulings like this increasingly enforceable.
What Comes Next
The Delhi High Court has also allowed Sinha’s team to file additional documents in sealed cover, reflecting the sensitive nature of some of the infringing material. The court granted exemption from pre-institution mediation, citing the urgency of the case.
As the next hearing approaches in July 2026, the pressure is now on the defendant platforms to comply with the 36-hour takedown directive or face further legal consequences. Official responses from the named AI platforms have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The case sets a significant precedent not just for Bollywood, but for every public figure whose digital identity is now within reach of a generative AI prompt.
If AI can build a chatbot using your face and voice without asking where does that leave anyone’s right to their own identity? Tell us what you think in the comments.