Salman Khan Personality Rights Case: Delhi High Court to Review AI Firm’s Plea

In a significant development at the intersection of celebrity rights and artificial intelligence, the Delhi High Court has agreed to examine a plea filed by a Chinese AI voice platform challenging an earlier injunction granted in favour of Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The court has issued a notice to the actor and sought his response within four weeks, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on February 27, 2026.

The order was passed by Jyoti Singh, who agreed to consider the AI firm’s application seeking to vacate or modify the injunction that currently restrains unauthorised use of Khan’s personality attributes.

Background of the dispute

The case traces its origins to an earlier order of the Delhi High Court that protected Salman Khan’s personality rights, barring third parties from using his name, photographs, voice, or likeness without consent. The injunction was aimed at preventing commercial exploitation of the actor’s identity across digital platforms, including AI-generated content, social media, and e-commerce websites.

The Chinese AI voice platform has now challenged that order, arguing that its AI-generated content is clearly labelled and disclosed as synthetic. The firm contends that the injunction is overly broad and hampers its ability to operate its business, and has sought permission to continue offering its services.

During the brief hearing, the court directed Khan to file a detailed reply to the plea within four weeks, indicating that the judicial scrutiny will now extend to the competing claims of technological innovation and individual personality rights.

Court’s earlier stance on misuse

In earlier proceedings, the Delhi High Court had taken a firm stand to protect Salman Khan’s rights, directing social media platforms and intermediaries to act swiftly on complaints related to misuse of his persona. The court had made it clear that platforms must take action within three days of receiving valid complaints concerning unauthorised use.

The court also cautioned alleged violators to factor in intellectual property and personality rights before making commercial decisions, signalling zero tolerance for digital misuse of celebrity identities.

Khan’s legal team has repeatedly flagged instances of fake news, misleading advertisements, and unauthorised AI-generated content using the actor’s image and voice. According to his counsel, such content misleads the public and results in unlawful commercial gain at the expense of the actor’s reputation and rights.

A wider legal trend

The case has drawn attention because it reflects a growing trend in India’s courts, where public figures are increasingly seeking legal protection against misuse of their identity in the digital ecosystem. Several actors and well-known personalities have recently secured interim relief from the Delhi High Court against unauthorised use of their persona by online platforms.

What sets the Salman Khan case apart is that it is the first known instance in India where an AI platform has actively sought to overturn a judicial order safeguarding personality rights. The outcome could establish an important precedent for how Indian courts balance emerging AI technologies with the rights of individuals.

Why the case matters

Legal experts say the court’s decision could shape future regulations governing AI-generated content, particularly voice cloning and likeness-based technologies. While innovation and free enterprise remain important considerations, courts are increasingly being asked to ensure that technological advancement does not come at the cost of individual dignity and legal rights.

As the debate unfolds, the case is being closely watched by the entertainment industry, technology firms, and legal observers alike, given its potential to redefine the contours of personality rights in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.