The Hyderabad City Civil Court recently issued interim orders restraining individuals and organizations from using veteran actor Konidela Chiranjeevi’s name, photographs, likeness, or voice for any commercial purpose without his consent — a move that has sparked a heated debate across media and legal circles.
The court ruled in favour of the Padma Vibhushan awardee, observing that unauthorized use or AI-generated reproductions of his image and voice could cause “irreparable damage to his reputation and dignity.”
The injunction prohibits not just the named respondents but also “any person or entity” from misusing Chiranjeevi’s personal identifiers — including his popular titles ‘Mega Star,’ ‘Chiru,’ and ‘Annayya’ — for profit on any medium, whether television, digital, or social platforms. This includes the use of AI-generated or morphed visuals and audio clips.
Following the order, Chiranjeevi met Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar to discuss enforcement measures. The actor reportedly urged strict action against those misusing celebrity identities online. Commissioner Sajjanar appreciated the initiative, noting that it underscores the growing importance of personality and publicity rights in India’s entertainment sector.
However, the ruling has also stirred discussions on its legal and cultural implications. Several media analysts and legal experts questioned the practicality of reserving generic titles like “Mega Star,” arguing that such terms have become part of the Telugu cultural lexicon.
“How can such titles be exclusive to one actor unless used in a defamatory context? If another hero is called a ‘megastar,’ how can that be wrong?” an analyst asked, drawing parallels with Rajinikanth, known as “Superstar,” and Mahesh Babu, who also shares the same title in Tollywood.
Critics further expressed concerns that this order might set a precedent for overreach, potentially affecting fan creativity, memes, and pop-culture expressions.
Some users even pointed out examples like Brahmanandam’s viral GIFs and memes, suggesting that such expressions stem from admiration, not commercial misuse.
While supporters hail the judgment as a milestone in protecting celebrity rights in the digital era, others warn that balancing legal protection with creative freedom will be key to ensuring fair and sensible enforcement.
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