The Hyderabad City Civil Court granted interim relief to Telugu cinema icon Chiranjeevi, issuing an ad-interim injunction to protect his personality rights from unauthorized exploitation. The ruling, delivered by Chief Judge S Sasidhar Reddy, prohibits over 30 online platforms—including e-commerce sites, YouTube channels, and digital outlets—from using Chiranjeevi’s name, image, voice, or likeness without his consent. This landmark decision marks a significant step in safeguarding celebrity identities in the digital age, particularly against emerging threats like AI-generated content and Metaverse misrepresentations.

Chiranjeevi approached the court after discovering widespread misuse of his persona, with platforms selling unauthorized merchandise such as T-shirts and posters and circulating AI-generated images, memes, and videos. These materials, often morphed to misrepresent the actor, were used for commercial gain or to propagate misleading political, anti-national, or salacious content. The court recognized the potential for irreparable harm, noting that such actions could deceive the public into assuming Chiranjeevi’s endorsement or association with these platforms.

The court emphasized the immense cultural and commercial value of Chiranjeevi’s identity, including his popular monikers like “Mega Star,” “Chiru,” “Annayya,” and “Boss.” Judge Reddy highlighted that unauthorized use of these identifiers risks misleading fans and eroding the actor’s carefully cultivated public image. The injunction explicitly extends to physical, digital, and future media formats, including AI and the Metaverse, setting a precedent for addressing modern forms of identity exploitation.

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The interim order restrains 33 named defendants from further misuse but excludes government entities like the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications, as prior notice is required under Section 80 of the Civil Procedure Code. To prevent further harm from rapid online dissemination, the court waived the notice requirement for other defendants. The case is set for its next hearing on October 27, 2025, as authorities continue to address the evolving challenges of digital rights protection.

Chiranjeevi joins a growing list of Indian celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who have sought legal recourse to protect their personality rights. As digital platforms and AI technologies enable increasingly sophisticated forms of exploitation, such legal victories underscore the need for robust protections to preserve celebrities’ identities and public trust. This ruling not only safeguards Chiranjeevi’s legacy but also signals a broader crackdown on unauthorized commercial use of celebrity personas.

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