Actor and wellness entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra has filed a petition with the Bombay High Court, alleging widespread misuse of her identity through artificial intelligence tools, e-commerce platforms, and social media. The suit, submitted under the Commercial Courts Act, names 28 defendants, including various websites, AI platforms, and multinational technology firms, claiming they have exploited her name, image, voice, and likeness for commercial benefits without her consent.
Represented by advocate Sana Raees Khan, Ms. Shetty is seeking urgent ex-parte injunctions aimed at the removal of infringing content, disclosure of seller information, and damages amounting to ₹5 lakh. The petition also requests the appointment of a court receiver to seize infringing merchandise and electronic data while directing government agencies to assist in enforcing the removal of unlawful content.
In her petition, Ms. Shetty asserts that the actions of the defendants “violate my fundamental right to privacy under Article 21” of the Indian Constitution and damage the reputation she has cultivated over decades. The misuse came to her attention in November 2025, when an event titled “Shilpa Shetty Award Show – Client Promotion Packages” was advertised without her consent. She claims that violations have persisted daily across various platforms since that initial discovery.
The petition alleges that AI-driven tools have generated deepfake videos and voice clones depicting her in “obscene, indecent and defamatory contexts.” It also highlights that GIF-hosting platforms are using clips from her films without permission, while e-commerce sites are marketing products such as “Shilpa Shetty Yellow Saree” and “Fear Less – Shilpa Shetty Celebrity T-shirt,” falsely suggesting her endorsement.
Among other examples cited in the petition, jewellery marketed as “Shilpa Shetty Inspired Choker Set” and manipulated visuals circulating on platforms like Reddit are included. Ms. Shetty contends that these acts infringe upon her personality rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, moral rights defined in Sections 38, 38A, and 38B of the Copyright Act, and constitute passing off under common law.
Defendants named in the petition include major retailers such as Amazon and Flipkart for hosting infringing listings, while tech giants like Meta, Google, and X Corp are accused of enabling the dissemination of manipulated content. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications have been included as proforma parties to ensure compliance with any court orders issued.
Ms. Shetty emphasized in her petition, “No one can utilize or imitate any facet of my personality—be it my name, image or voice—without consent.” She warned that inferior quality goods and defamatory content “debase my persona and mislead the public.” The actor has requested a dynamic injunction designed to block future infringing content and mirror websites, as well as John Doe orders to restrain unidentified wrongdoers.
This legal action underscores the growing concerns surrounding the misuse of personal identities in the digital age, particularly as artificial intelligence tools become increasingly sophisticated. The case not only highlights the challenges faced by public figures in protecting their brand but also raises broader questions about the ethical implications of AI and the responsibilities of technology companies in monitoring and controlling misleading or harmful content.
Stylus Education Secures £250,000 DfE Funding for AI-Powered Marking Tools
Google Reveals AI Features in Arts & Culture App: World Toon Video and Art Chats
Breadkrumb and TripSpark Launch AI Tools to Streamline Travel Planning and Social Collaboration
Figma Faces Class-Action Lawsuit for Alleged Misuse of User-Generated Designs in AI Training
Westport Entrepreneur Launches ThoughtPartnr to Help Small Businesses Embrace AI
