On Friday, February 20, 2026, Justice Jyoti Singh passed an interim order protecting the actor’s personality rights, effectively barring anyone from using her name, voice, image, or likeness without her explicit consent.
The Ruling: A Multi-Pronged Shield
The court’s directive targets three specific types of misuse that have plagued the actor’s digital presence recently:
AI & Deepfakes: The court expressed grave concern over "synthetic visuals" and "voice cloning." It specifically restrained the creation of manipulated digital content—including fake videos—that use Kajol’s identity.
Obscene Content: In a significant move for her personal dignity, the court ordered the immediate removal of all pornographic and obscene material circulated online under her name.
Unauthorized Merchandise: The order also bars companies from selling commercial products (like T-shirts, posters, or stickers) featuring her likeness to gain "commercial mileage."
The Legal Argument: "My Face, My Rules"
Advocate Pravin Anand, representing Kajol, argued that the actor has a "right of publicity" to control how her persona is used for profit.
"The misuse of deepfakes doesn't just infringe on commercial rights; it attacks an individual's dignity and privacy," the court observed during the hearing.
While the court has protected Kajol's identity, it clarified that this order does not restrict:
Satire & Parody
Artistic Expression
News Reporting & Commentary
Industry Trend: The Legal Shield Grows
Kajol is the latest in a long line of celebrities to seek this "Personality Rights" protection. She joins an elite club of figures who have secured similar orders recently:
The Bachchans: Amitabh, Aishwarya, and Abhishek.
The Industry Giants: Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Johar.
Beyond Cinema: Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and digital creator Raj Shamani.
Professional Update: Kajol in 2026
The legal win comes at a busy time for the actor. Kajol was most recently seen in the 2025 thriller Sarzameen alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan. She continues to be one of the most vocal advocates in the industry for artists' rights in the digital era.
