The Delhi High Court has restrained the release and circulation of an AI-generated film that used the name, image and voice of Akira Nandan, son of Pawan Kalyan, without consent. The Court held that such unauthorised AI and deepfake content violates personality, publicity and privacy rights and directed immediate takedown of infringing material.
The Delhi High Court has passed an ex parte ad interim injunction stopping the release and circulation of an AI-generated film that allegedly misused the identity of Akira Nandan, the son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, without his permission.
The order was passed by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on January 23. The Court restrained Sambhawaami Studios LLP and other unknown persons from creating, publishing, sharing or promoting any AI-generated or deepfake content that uses Akira Nandan’s name, image, likeness, voice or overall persona. This includes a film titled “AI Love Story”, which was being hosted on YouTube and other digital platforms.
Akira Nandan, who is 21 years old, approached the Delhi High Court claiming that his personality rights, publicity rights and privacy rights were being seriously violated. He alleged that a full-length movie was created entirely using Artificial Intelligence, where he was falsely shown as the lead character, even though he had never given his consent or participated in the project in any manner.
According to the plaintiff, the film used advanced AI morphing and deepfake technology to closely copy his facial expressions, voice, appearance and mannerisms. This made it appear as though he had acted in and approved the film, which was completely untrue.
The Court was informed that the AI-generated film titled “AI Love Story” had been uploaded on YouTube in several versions. As of January 22, 2026, the Telugu version of the film had already received 1,109,255 views, while the English version had recorded 24,354 views. This showed that the allegedly illegal content had spread rapidly and reached a very large audience online.
Apart from the AI movie, the lawsuit also highlighted the existence of many fake and impersonation accounts on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. These accounts were allegedly using Akira Nandan’s name, photographs and likeness to attract followers, gain views and earn money.
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Akira Nandan further claimed that some of these fake accounts were even asking for donations in his name. This raised serious concerns about cheating the public and misusing money by falsely presenting themselves as him.
The High Court carefully examined the AI-generated images and visuals that were filed along with the plaint. The Court observed that these materials clearly showed how artificial intelligence can be misused to create highly realistic but completely false stories involving real and identifiable individuals.
While deciding the case, the Court relied on the Delhi High Court’s important earlier judgment in DM Entertainment Pvt Ltd v. Baby Gift House. Referring to this decision, the Court reiterated that Indian law recognises the right of publicity, which gives a person control over how their identity and persona are commercially used. The Court noted that no one has the right to use another person’s name, image or appearance for commercial benefit without proper permission.
Justice Gedela observed that even though Akira Nandan is still at an early stage of his public career, the fact that an AI-generated film was made portraying him as the main character itself showed that he has a recognisable and distinctive identity.
The Court recorded the following observation:
“Upon overall appreciation of the facts of the case, prima facie, it appears that the plaintiff is a prominent personality belonging to a highly reputed family in the entertainment industry in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The plaintiff, though young, appears to have a large fan following which indicates his popularity in the public as also in the entertainment industry. Having regard to the fact that he appeared in a movie and also claims to have contributed to music in the Telugu Film “OG”, it can be presumed at this stage that he has a noticeable presence in the entertainment industry, though at infancy,”
At the interim stage, the High Court held that the balance of convenience was clearly in favour of Akira Nandan. It noted that damage to a person’s reputation, identity and personality cannot be properly compensated with money and cannot be easily undone if interim protection is not granted.
Accordingly, the Court restrained the defendants from creating, publishing or circulating the AI-generated film “AI Love Story” or any related content. It also barred them from using or exploiting Akira Nandan’s name, image, likeness, voice, mannerisms or persona through artificial intelligence, deepfake tools or similar technologies. The Court further restrained any activity that would violate his right to privacy by creating distorted or manipulated content that could harm his reputation.
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The High Court also issued directions to social-media intermediaries, including Meta Platforms, to take down the infringing URLs mentioned in the suit. These platforms were also directed to share account details and IP information of the infringers within the timelines fixed by the Court.
Akira Nandan was represented by Senior Advocate J. Sai Deepak, along with Advocates Himanshu Deora, Rahul Mehta, Arpit Choudhary, Kunal Mehta, Anupriya Alok and Sanat Saswadkar from King Stubb & Kasiva.
Google was represented by Advocates Aditya Gupta and Vani Kaushik, while Meta was represented by Advocates Varun Pathak, Yash Karunakaran and Prasidhi Agrawal.
Case Title:
Akira Nandan Vs Sambawaami Studios
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