The Bombay High Court has passed an interim order restraining AI platforms, e-commerce sites and digital media from unauthorised use of actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s name, image and voice.

Justice Madhav Jamdar’s order, issued on October 1-2, also directs takedowns of deepfake content misusing her likeness. The case names 18 defendants, including Meta, Google, Amazon, the Ministry of Electronics and IT, and the Department of Telecommunications. A John Doe order against unknown infringers has been sought.

The petition invokes the right to privacy under Articles 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution and Section 38B of the Copyright Act, which protects performers’ rights.

The order is among the strongest judicial interventions yet against AI-generated misuse of celebrity identity in India. It comes amid a wave of cases where actors have moved courts to stop their faces and voices being cloned for fake endorsements, explicit content and commercial promotions without consent The court will hear the matter further in the coming weeks.