Bombay HC rules ‘Khamosh’ is exclusively linked to Shatrughan Sinha, bars unauthorized use of his voice, name

Shatrughan Sinha

The Bombay High Court has moved to protect the personality rights of veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, ruling that his iconic dialogue "Khamosh" is exclusively associated with his public persona and cannot be used without authorization. The interim order restrains individuals and online platforms from misusing his name, image, voice, or distinctive style, particularly for commercial purposes or through artificial intelligence generated content.

Shatrughan Sinha's khamosh gets a ruling

The order was passed by Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, who observed that Sinha's trademark dialogue delivery and screen presence are inseparably linked to his identity in the public domain. The court agreed that unauthorized usage of these attributes amounts to a violation of his personality rights and could potentially harm his reputation and goodwill.

Sinha had approached the court alleging widespread misuse of his identity across digital platforms. His legal team argued that his famous catchphrase and unique style have become symbolic of his persona over decades in cinema and public life. The court recognized that such distinctive elements deserve protection under the law, especially in an era where digital manipulation is increasingly common.

Bombay HC issues the hearing in Sinha's favour

The High Court directed websites, social media platforms, and other online entities to immediately take down infringing content and refrain from publishing similar material in the future. It also took note of the growing misuse of artificial intelligence tools to create deepfake videos and manipulated audio clips that imitate celebrities without consent. Such AI generated content, the court said, can mislead the public and damage an individual's carefully built public image.

The ruling reflects a broader shift in India's legal landscape, where courts are increasingly acknowledging and safeguarding personality rights. Public figures have been seeking judicial intervention to prevent unauthorized endorsements, fake profiles, and digitally altered content that exploits their identity for profit or attention.

Although the current order is interim and the matter will be heard further, it sends a strong message about respecting individual identity in the digital age. By recognizing that "Khamosh" is uniquely tied to Shatrughan Sinha's persona, the court has reinforced the principle that a celebrity's name, voice, image, and signature style cannot be commercially or digitally exploited without permission.