The Delhi High Court recently passed an ad interim injunction on Monday protecting the personality rights of actor R Madhavan. The court alsio restrainted the misuse of his name, image, likeness and other personality traits. The order was passed during a hearing when the court heard his civil suit against the circulation of deepfake, AI-generated and misleading online content.
Delhi HC orders takedown of R Madhavan`s obscene content
The matter was heard by Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora. The judge directed the takedown of obscene material concerning the actor while also ordering a restraint against defendants selling unauthorised merchandise, which exploits his personality rights.
Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar, who appeared for Madhavan, informed the Court that pursuant to earlier directions, many other intermediaries had been approached and some infringing content had already been removed. However, the advocate submitted that Defendant No. 1 created and circulated fake trailers of non-existent films, including Kesari 3 and Shaitaan Chapter 2, falsely associating them with the actor. Swathi also pointed out that despite representations to the contrary, YouTube had stated that certain content did not violate copyright norms.
Sukumar also apprised the Court of deepfake and AI-generated videos depicting Madhavan in fabricated situations, stating that one such video had since been removed. She further told the Bench that RedBubble had removed all infringing merchandise bearing the actor`s name and likeness, though some fake trailers remained accessible online.
By comparing content that had been removed with material that remained available, the Court questioned the platforms` selective approach.
“I want to understand why they have taken down some and not taken down some,” the judge observed. Upon being informed of obscene content involving the actor, the Court stated that it would proceed on the basis of counsel`s statement and directed its removal.
The Court also took note of submissions that certain defendants were commercially exploiting Madhavan`s personality by selling unauthorised merchandise. Granting interim relief, the judge observed:
“Issue injunction qua sale of merchandise qua 1, 3 and 4 of the list and qua 2 on the ground of obscenity.”
Sukumar stressed that the descriptions were misleading and that the actor had never authorised the use of his name or likeness for such content. Referring to a page that portrays Madhavan as the Hulk, she urged that it be taken down, asserting that a genuine fan page would not object if the actor asserted his rights.
While the Court indicated that some such content could be made “invisible,” it clarified that it was still considering the broader legal issues surrounding AI-generated material. “I am not clear about the AI issue. I will think about it. I will not pass orders right now,” the judge remarked.
For the present, the High Court has granted an ad interim injunction protecting Madhavan`s personality rights, directed the takedown of obscene content, and restrained the sale of unauthorised merchandise exploiting his identity. The matter has been listed for further hearing in May 2026.
R Madhavan`s workfront
Madhavan was seen in a number of movies in 2025, including Hisaab Barabar, Kesari Chapter 2, Aap Jaisa Koi, De De Pyaar De 2 and Dhurandhar in Hindi as well as Test in Tamil. Meanwhile, he will next be seen in Dhurandhar 2 in Hindi, G.D.N and Adhirshtasaali in Tamil. He has been gaining a lot of acclaim for his performance in Dhurandhar, which has become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, collecting over Rs 870 crore at the box office worldwide.
