Is Jr NTR’s identity being misused online? Delhi HC demands answers in 3 days

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday directed e-commerce and social media platforms to submit their responses within three days to a petition filed by actor Jr NTR, who alleged that his identity was being misused across multiple digital platforms.

The actor approached the court seeking protection of his personality rights and action against the unauthorised use of his name, image and likeness.

According to submissions made in court, a range of websites and social media pages were allegedly hosting content that used the actor’s identity without consent, in some cases for commercial gain. Jr NTR argued that such actions violated his rights and required urgent intervention.

The matter was heard by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. The court directed the platforms to treat the petition as a formal complaint under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and to file their responses within three days. The case has been listed for further hearing on 22 December, when a detailed order is expected.

The petition comes amid a rising number of similar cases filed by prominent public figures who have sought legal protection against the misuse of their identities online. Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Nagarjuna, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan and Chiranjeevi have all taken legal action in recent years over unauthorised commercial use of their personal attributes.

Jr NTR’s petition highlights growing concerns about the misuse of celebrity identities in the digital economy, where deepfakes, impersonation, misleading advertisements and unverified endorsements have become more common. Courts across India have increasingly recognised personality rights as an extension of privacy and commercial rights, especially for public figures.

In recent years, Jr NTR has featured in major film projects, including the global success RRR in 2022, which earned international awards for its music. He later appeared in Devara: Part 1 and made his Hindi debut in War 2 in 2025. He is currently working on a film directed by Prashanth Neel, reportedly titled Dragon.