Naga Chaitanya moves Delhi HC over cheating claims

Naga Chaitanya seeks legal protection against AI-generated videos, defamatory claims involving Samantha and unauthorised online content

Actor Naga Chaitanya has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against the alleged unauthorised use of his name, image and likeness across digital platforms. The actor’s legal team also raised concerns over explicit AI-generated content, manipulated videos, and defamatory material linked to his personal life.

According to submissions made before the court, several websites were allegedly using Chaitanya’s name alongside explicit search terms to attract online traffic. His lawyer argued that objectionable content involving the actor had been circulating widely on the internet.

Concerns over AI-generated content

Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, appearing on behalf of Chaitanya, informed the court that AI-generated and digitally manipulated videos falsely depicted the actor in objectionable situations. According to ANI, the lawyer also highlighted online content involving Chaitanya's ex-wife, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, which allegedly claimed that the actor had cheated on her and destroyed her career. “This is trolling, this is not fair criticism,” Gaggar argued before the court.

The matter was heard by Justice Jyoti Singh, who observed that while public figures are more vulnerable to scrutiny than ordinary citizens, there must be limits. “You are in public life, you are certainly more vulnerable than the rest of the people, but it has its limitations,” the court remarked.

Court issues summons

Apart from objectionable content, Chaitanya’s legal team also pointed to unauthorised merchandise allegedly featuring the actor's likeness. The suit claimed that AI tools, deepfake technology, voice-cloning software, and digital manipulation techniques were being used to create fabricated audiovisual material for commercial purposes. According to the complaint, the circulation of such content has caused serious damage to the actor’s reputation, dignity, privacy, and public image.

The court was also shown allegedly defamatory YouTube videos related to the actor.