In a significant legal development, Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan have filed a ₹4 crore lawsuit against YouTube and its parent company Google, accusing the platform of hosting and profiting from AI-generated deepfake videos that misuse their likeness.
The lawsuit, filed on September 6, follows a Delhi High Court order safeguarding the couple’s “personality rights.” The petition demands the removal and permanent ban of manipulated content featuring them, while also urging the court to direct YouTube to prevent such videos from being used to train AI models.
According to court documents, the actors allege that several AI-created videos on a channel named AI Bollywood Ishq — with over 259 videos and 16.5 million views — falsely portray them in fabricated and, in some cases, sexually explicit situations. One video allegedly depicts Aishwarya Rai with Salman Khan in a pool, while others show Abhishek Bachchan in falsified scenarios, including kissing scenes and altered reactions involving his wife.
The Bachchans argue that YouTube’s policies enabling creators to allow AI training on uploaded content could multiply instances of fake videos, intensifying reputational damage. “Such content being used to train AI models has the potential to multiply the instances of infringing use,” their petition stated.
The case highlights the growing challenge of regulating AI-generated content in India, which currently lacks explicit laws protecting personality rights. While some Bollywood figures have previously sought legal protection, this lawsuit marks one of the most high-profile battles against AI misuse.
The actors insist that platforms like YouTube must introduce stricter safeguards to prevent misuse of celebrities’ voices, images, and identities. They emphasize that unchecked AI deepfakes not only harm reputations but also pose broader threats to privacy and digital integrity.
As the case proceeds, it is expected to set a legal precedent in India’s battle with AI-driven misinformation, sparking wider debates on the balance between innovation, free expression, and individual rights in the digital era.