Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan to Appear Personally if Personality Rights Settlement Fails

The Delhi High Court has directed Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to appear personally in court if a proposed settlement in his personality rights case fails to materialise and he wishes to pursue the remaining claims. The court has granted additional time to complete the settlement formalities and scheduled the next hearing for November 16, 2026.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the direction after being informed that Bachchan had reached an amicable settlement with some of the defendants. However, the agreement could not be formally signed because of logistical difficulties on the actor’s part.

The court indicated that if the settlement process remains incomplete, Bachchan would have to appear in person should he intend to continue with the unresolved aspects of the case. His personal presence would allow the court to seek clarification directly and determine how the proceedings should move forward.

The case concerns Bachchan’s plea seeking legal protection for his personality and publicity rights. The veteran actor had approached the High Court after alleging that his name, image, voice and other aspects of his identity were being used without authorisation by various individuals and entities.

The alleged misuse included online activities involving fake lottery schemes in the name of the television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, as well as other instances of unauthorised commercial exploitation. Such activities, according to the actor’s plea, could mislead members of the public and improperly exploit his reputation.

On November 25, 2022, the Delhi High Court granted Bachchan interim protection, directing authorities and other relevant parties to take action against the unauthorised use of his personality attributes. The case subsequently continued as the actor sought broader and more lasting legal safeguards against the commercial misuse of his identity. Personality rights have become an increasingly significant legal issue in India, particularly as celebrities face unauthorised use of their photographs, voices and likenesses across digital platforms. The spread of artificial intelligence and online impersonation has further intensified concerns about the protection of public figures’ identities.