Bollywood Stars Sue Google Over Deepfake Videos: Demand Stricter AI Content Policies

In a significant legal challenge, Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have taken Google's YouTube to court in New Delhi, India. The high-profile lawsuit, filed on September 6, 2025, targets deepfake and misleading YouTube videos that the actors claim infringe their intellectual property rights.

Beyond requesting the removal of existing AI-generated content, the couple is demanding that Google implement measures to ensure uploaded videos cannot be used to train rival AI models without their proper consent. The Bachchans argue that YouTube's current policy, which allows creators to opt-in for sharing their videos to train AI platforms like OpenAI, Meta, and xAI, is deeply concerning.

The lawsuit, spanning over 1,500 pages, includes hundreds of links and screenshots showcasing what the actors describe as "egregious" and "sexually explicit" AI-manipulated videos. One example shows Abhishek using AI manipulation to kiss an actress, while another depicts Aishwarya dining with her former partner, actor Salman Khan, as Abhishek watches angrily.

The Delhi High Court has already ordered the removal of 518 website links and posts, citing financial harm and damage to the couple's dignity. The next hearing is scheduled for January 15, 2026, with the actors seeking $450,000 in damages and a permanent injunction.

This case represents the most significant legal challenge yet regarding personality rights and AI in India, where explicit protections for celebrity personas don't exist, unlike in many U.S. states. With India being YouTube's largest market at around 600 million users, the lawsuit could significantly impact how the platform handles AI-generated celebrity content and video-sharing consent policies.