Delhi High Court Issues Interim Injunction to Protect Actor Nagarjuna’s Personality Rights

Websites Ordered to Remove Infringing Content and Block Unauthorized Use of Celebrity's Persona  

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to celebrated actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, restraining various websites from unauthorized use of his name, image, likeness, and persona. The judgment, delivered by Justice Tejas Karia, addresses the grave misappropriation of the actor's publicity and moral rights by websites hosting pornographic content and selling merchandise without consent.  

The court's decision comes in the wake of Nagarjuna's legal battle against numerous defendants, including websites such as WWW.BFXXX.ORG, which were found to be infringing upon the actor's rights by displaying his name in relation to inappropriate content. The judgment emphasizes the importance of protecting the personality rights of public figures, recognizing the potential harm to their reputation and goodwill resulting from unauthorized exploitation.  

Justice Karia ordered the defendants to take immediate action to remove, disable, and block URLs hosting infringing content. Additionally, government authorities have been directed to block and disable these URLs, ensuring comprehensive protection for the plaintiff's persona. The court underscored the dilution of Nagarjuna's goodwill and reputation due to misleading and derogatory use of his attributes on these platforms.  

Advocates Pravin Anand and Vaibhav Gaggar, representing Nagarjuna, highlighted the actor's contributions to Indian cinema over a career spanning four decades, earning him immense respect and admiration both within the industry and among the public. With over 95 feature films to his credit and a substantial social media following, Nagarjuna's persona is uniquely distinctive, warranting robust legal protection.  

The judgment draws parallels with previous cases involving celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, wherein the court granted similar relief to safeguard their personality rights against unauthorized commercial exploitation. In the current case, the Delhi High Court has taken a strong stance against the defendants' blatant violation, emphasizing the need for accountability and compliance to uphold the dignity and rights of public personalities.  

The court's order mandates defendants to file subscriber information, including names, email addresses, contact numbers, IP logs, and registration details, in a sealed cover for further examination. This move aims to ensure transparency and traceability in the operations of websites involved in unauthorized activities.  

Akkineni Nagarjuna's victory in court marks a significant stride in the protection of celebrity rights, setting a precedent for future cases involving personality rights and unauthorized exploitation. The judgment reflects the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding individuals from the harmful effects of digital infringement and misuse of personal attributes.  

As the legal proceedings continue, the Delhi High Court's decision remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle for celebrity rights, reinforcing the need for vigilance and adherence to legal standards in the digital era. The case is scheduled for further hearing on January 23, 2026, where compliance with court orders will be reviewed.  

Bottom Line:

Misappropriation of personality/publicity rights and moral rights of a celebrity restrained, infringement of performer’s rights and passing off by unauthorized use of name, image, likeness and persona prohibited. 

Statutory provision(s):  

• - Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015  
• - Section 149, 151, and 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908  
• - Section 63(4)(c) of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023  
• - Order XI Rule 1(4) of the CPC as applicable to Commercial Suits under the Commercial Courts Act  
• - Order XI Rule 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the CPC as amended by the Commercial Courts Act  
• - Order XXXIX Rule 1 and 2 of CPC

Akkineni Nagarjuna v. WWW.BFXXX.ORG, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2786352