Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor has earned a spot on TIME Magazine’s second annual TIME 100 AI list, which highlights the most influential figures shaping the future of artificial intelligence. His inclusion comes after a landmark legal victory in September 2023, where he successfully protected his persona against unauthorized use through AI. This victory has broader implications for the entertainment industry, especially as AI becomes increasingly intertwined with film and media.
Kapoor’s legal win came when the Delhi High Court issued an interim injunction, barring 16 different entities from misusing his name, voice, likeness, and other personal traits for commercial purposes. The ruling stemmed from Kapoor’s efforts to clamp down on the unauthorized circulation of edited videos and emojis featuring his image, along with his signature catchphrase “jhakaas,” which shot to fame after his 1985 film *Yudh*. Reflecting on this significant step, Kapoor told *Variety*, “Every actor has the right to protect themselves.”
The court’s decision reinforced Kapoor’s rights, legally prohibiting the defendants from using his name, image, or any part of his persona to create merchandise, ringtones, or other commercial products. This ruling sets a precedent in Bollywood, one of the world’s largest film industries, which produces over 1,500 movies annually.
This victory for Kapoor arrives at a pivotal moment, as Bollywood and the global entertainment industry are grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. AI’s potential to replicate voices, images, and even create synthetic performances poses complex challenges for actors, filmmakers, and legal systems. Kapoor’s case illustrates the fine line between creativity and exploitation that the entertainment world must now navigate.
The problem of AI misuse in Bollywood isn’t new. In 2022, deepfake videos of renowned Indian actresses Alia Bhatt and Rashmika Mandanna circulated widely, raising concerns about how AI could be used to manipulate public figures. The following year, during the Indian elections, AI-generated videos featuring Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral, leading to widespread public alarm. These incidents have shown how AI can be misused to spread misinformation, distort public perception, and harm the reputations of celebrities and public figures alike.
Kapoor’s successful legal battle against these AI-driven infringements has broader significance for Indian entertainment, offering a potential path for other stars who wish to safeguard their image and likeness in the age of AI. By securing this legal victory, Kapoor has paved the way for other celebrities to pursue similar protections. This trend could lead to stricter regulations on how AI is used in entertainment, especially when it comes to using the likeness of actors and public figures without their consent.
In fact, Kapoor’s case already appears to have inspired other legal actions. In July 2023, just a few months after Kapoor’s victory, the Bombay High Court granted temporary relief to famous Indian playback singer Arijit Singh, in a case that closely mirrored Kapoor’s. Singh had taken legal action against platforms that were using his voice without permission. These AI platforms had replicated Singh’s distinctive voice, even going as far as using text-to-speech software to convert written text into audio that sounded like him. This marked another significant legal development in the growing movement to safeguard the rights of artists in the face of AI-driven threats. As TIME Magazine journalist Astha Rajvanshi noted, “The case was heard after unauthorized AI platforms mimicked Singh’s name and likeness without consent, with one platform even using text-to-speech software to convert text into his voice.”
These legal victories suggest that more and more artists will seek legal remedies to protect their rights as AI technology continues to advance. The rapid development of deepfakes, voice cloning, and other AI-driven innovations has made it easier than ever for unauthorized parties to manipulate the likenesses of public figures, and this poses new challenges for the legal frameworks that govern intellectual property and personality rights. With Kapoor’s and Singh’s cases setting the stage, it seems likely that many more actors, singers, and other celebrities will turn to the courts to protect their images, voices, and other personal traits.
Kapoor’s inclusion on TIME’s 100 AI list not only highlights his legal victory but also underscores the importance of addressing the ethical and legal challenges posed by AI. The list, which celebrates the top 100 most influential individuals shaping the future of AI, recognizes those who are working to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly. Kapoor’s fight to protect his persona in the age of AI reflects his deep understanding of the potential consequences of AI misuse, and his actions have resonated throughout the entertainment industry.
Moreover, the issue of AI exploitation is not confined to Bollywood or the entertainment world. Across industries, AI has become a powerful tool, but it has also opened the door to ethical dilemmas and legal battles. AI can generate synthetic media, clone voices, and manipulate images, but it can also distort reality and mislead audiences. Kapoor’s victory, therefore, is not just about one actor protecting his brand; it’s about drawing a line in the sand against the unchecked use of AI in a way that infringes upon the rights of individuals.
For Bollywood, the question now is how the industry will adapt to these new challenges. With over 1,500 films being produced annually, the potential for AI misuse is immense. As actors, directors, and producers navigate this new landscape, they will need to consider how best to protect their intellectual property while also leveraging the opportunities that AI offers for creative expression. Kapoor’s legal battle is just the beginning of what is likely to be a much broader conversation about AI’s role in the future of entertainment.
Ultimately, Anil Kapoor’s victory is a significant milestone in the fight for artists’ rights in the digital age. His success not only establishes a legal precedent but also encourages others in the industry to stand up for their rights in the face of emerging technologies. As AI continues to evolve, so too will the need for robust legal protections to ensure that individuals retain control over their own likenesses, voices, and identities. Kapoor’s inclusion on the TIME 100 AI list is a testament to his leadership in this crucial area and serves as a reminder that even in an age of rapidly advancing technology, the rights of individuals must be respected and upheld.
