Malayalam film superstar Mohanlal has approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection for his personality rights amid growing concerns over misuse of identities in the digital and AI era.
His plea comes amid the rising threat of unauthorised use of celebrity likeness in advertisements, deepfakes, and fabricated content. The move places him among several high-profile actors such as Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan taking legal action to safeguard their public image. Meanwhile, the actor is also awaiting the release of his much-anticipated film Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, which is scheduled to hit theatres soon.
Mohanlal Moves Delhi HC For Personality Rights Protection
The rapid rise of digital platforms and AI-generated content has led to increasing misuse of personal identities, raising serious legal concerns especially for film celebrities. Recent reports indicate that Mohanlal has moved the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection for his personality rights. According to Bench and Bar, the case is scheduled to be heard by Justice Jyoti Singh.
Personality rights refer to an individual’s legal control over how their identity is used in public and commercial spaces.
These rights typically protect elements such as a person’s name, image, voice, signature, and physical likeness. Even unique traits like catchphrases or distinctive expressions can fall within their scope.
About Personality Rights
Personality rights are generally divided into two main categories: Right of Publicity: This protects individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their identity, such as in advertisements or endorsements, Right to Privacy: This shields individuals from intrusive or misleading uses, including deepfakes, altered images, or fabricated associations.
Mohanlal’s legal move is among a broader move made by public figures seeking protection against identity misuse. Celebrities such as Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan, Jaya Bachchan, Rishab Shetty, and Akkineni Nagarjuna have also approached courts with similar concerns. Previously, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan obtained court orders restricting unauthorised use of their identities across advertisements, merchandise, and AI-generated content. More recently, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Sonakshi Sinha in a similar matter.
Drishyam 3 Release Update
Amid these legal developments, Mohanlal’s upcoming film Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, has been postponed. Originally slated for release on April 2, the film will now hit theatres on May 21, coinciding with the actor’s birthday. The delay has been attributed to reported tensions in the Gulf region. The film marks the return of the iconic character Georgekutty, continuing the popular Drishyam franchise.