KJo seeks protection of personality rights

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar moved the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights, alleging rampant misuse of his name, photographs, and likeness on social media platforms and websites without consent.

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The case was heard on September 15 by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, when senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao appeared for Johar and alleged that his name was being misused to raise funds.

Rao argued that the filmmaker’s identity was being exploited, with his pictures and name being misused to raise funds and operate unauthorised fan pages.

“There is a line between making fun and exploitation. The more the memes, the more viral it is, the more money you make,” Rao contended. “I have a right to ensure that none uses my persona or characteristics without my consent.”

Johar pointed out that “various pages on various platforms are in my name”, stressing that the misuse extended beyond memes to monetised activity.