On February 16, 2026 (with the detailed order made public this weekend), Justice Sharmila Deshmukh ruled that the legendary actor’s identity—including his iconic catchphrase—is now legally off-limits for unauthorized commercial use.
1. The Power of "Khamosh"
In a move that delights fans and sets a massive legal precedent, the court specifically recognized that the word "Khamosh" is not just a dialogue but a "trademark-like" extension of Sinha’s persona.
The Ruling: The court observed that the expression, delivered in his unique and distinct style, is "associated exclusively with the Plaintiff's persona."
The Ban: This means mimicry artists, advertisers, and AI developers can no longer use his signature vocal style or that specific catchphrase for commercial gain without his explicit consent.
2. Fighting the "AI Menace"
The suit, filed through his son Luv Sinha, highlighted several "disturbing trends" that forced the veteran star to seek legal intervention:
Digital Forgeries: The court took a stern view of AI-generated deepfakes, face-morphing, and the creation of "synthetic media" that distorts his original performances.
Obscene Content: Much like Kajol’s case, the petition presented evidence of morphed pornographic content and "unsavory humor" that tarnished his hard-earned reputation.
Counterfeit Merch: The injunction also covers unauthorized merchandise like T-shirts, magnets, and posters bearing his likeness or signature.
3. Damages & Takedowns
₹20 Crore Claim: Sinha has sought ₹20 crore in damages from tech giants (including Meta, X, and Google) and e-commerce platforms for allowing the exploitation of his identity.
Immediate Action: The court has directed social media and e-commerce platforms to forthwith remove all infringing content and disclose the basic subscriber information (BSI) of the uploaders.
John Doe Orders: The protection extends to "John Doe" defendants—meaning even unidentified anonymous creators are now under the court's scanner.
4. A Growing "Digital Fortress" in Bollywood
Shatrughan Sinha now joins an elite list of actors who have "locked" their personalities to fight AI-driven misinformation and commercial theft:
The Pioneers: Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor (who protected his "Jhakaas" catchphrase).
The New Guard: Kajol, Ajay Devgn, and the Bachchan family (Aishwarya and Abhishek).
Others: Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, and singer Arijit Singh.
The Industry Impact
This ruling is expected to hit the mimicry and meme culture the hardest. While the court clarified that "satire and parody" are generally protected, using a celebrity's voice or catchphrase to sell a product or build a commercial brand is now a high-risk legal gamble.
