The Bombay High Court has expressed profound dismay over the circulation of manipulated and morphed photographs and videos of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty. The court's strong reaction came during a hearing on a plea filed by the actor seeking legal protection against such content.
Shilpa Shetty Moves Court for Protection
Shilpa Shetty approached the High Court seeking a crucial legal shield for her personality rights. Her petition specifically requested an order to restrain various websites and platforms from hosting or distributing AI-generated content that features her likeness in a falsified manner. The plea highlights the growing menace of deepfake technology and digitally altered media targeting public figures.
Court's Strong Reaction to the Content
Upon reviewing the alleged material, the judges of the Bombay High Court did not mince words. They described the morphed photos and videos as "extremely disturbing" and "shocking." This stern observation underscores the severity of the violation and the potential harm such content can cause to an individual's reputation and mental well-being. The case, which was reported on 26 December 2025, has brought the issue of digital impersonation and cyber violations into sharp legal focus.
The Fight for Digital Identity and Legal Recourse
This legal action by the prominent actor points to a larger battle celebrities and individuals are facing in the digital age. The misuse of artificial intelligence to create fabricated morphed images poses a significant threat to personal dignity. The outcome of this case is being closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how Indian courts handle infringements of personality rights in the realm of unregulated online content and synthetic media.
The Bombay High Court's intervention marks a significant step in acknowledging the legal and ethical challenges posed by advanced digital manipulation tools. It reinforces the need for robust legal frameworks to protect individuals from having their image and identity maliciously altered and disseminated without consent.