In a landmark decision that is poised to set a new precedent and fortify the rights of musicians against the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies, the Bombay High Court has provided significant relief to famed singer Arijit Singh. The court’s ruling categorically stated that the use of AI tools to generate content utilizing a celebrity’s voice, image, or other personal attributes without consent constitutes a violation of “personality rights.” This ruling may offer a long-awaited clarification to industry artists who have often expressed concern over the ambiguous legal terrain surrounding AI-generated content. With this ruling, celebrities might now feel somewhat shielded from the unauthorized generation of content through AI tools.
The case came to light when Justice RI Chagla, in an interim order on July 26, issued injunctions restraining eight online platforms from using Singh’s “personality rights.” The judge directed these platforms to take down all related content and disable any voice conversion tools that replicated Singh’s voice, mannerisms, or other unique personal attributes.
Arijit Singh approached the court with the claim that these platforms offered AI tools capable of synthesizing artificial sound recordings that imitated his distinctive voice and style. His lawyer, Hiren Kamod, elaborated that Singh had consciously avoided any form of brand endorsement or overt commercial exploitation of his persona for years. Granting interim relief to Singh, the high court recognized the serious implications of unauthorized AI-generated content on a celebrity’s personality rights.
In other entertainment news, Aamir Khan, the superstar of Bollywood, has been opening up about his fatherly concerns. Despite allowing his son, Junaid Khan, to find his own way in his film career, Aamir admitted to feeling a significant amount of stress prior to the release of Junaid’s debut film, “Maharaj,” on Netflix on June 21. The film, which features Junaid playing a historical 19th-century social reformer, touches upon the 1862 libel case involving Karsandas Mulji and a Vaishnavite religious leader. Reflecting on the anxieties that come with being a parent, Aamir shared, “When it released, I was stressed thinking if people would like his work or not. It is an emotion that I immediately connect to. We are always worried about whether they will be accepted.”
On the topic of awards and recognition, celebrated music composer MM Keeravani, who brought the Best Original Song Academy Award home for the viral hit “Naatu Naatu,” shared his perspective on the role of accolades in a musician’s career. “Oscar is not a criterion or a factor for getting work. Winning an Oscar is like an additional honor, but honor never brings you work. It’s only competence that brings work to you,” he stated, emphasizing that forming a strong rapport with directors is key to delivering high-quality work.
Meanwhile, Sumbul Touqeer Khan has been candid about her enduring friendship with reality TV personality Shiv Thakare, which emerged during their time on Bigg Boss 16.
. Reflecting on their bond, Sumbul said, “Shiv was a good participant, and I vibed with him. Our friendship goes beyond the show, and it’s something I cherish deeply. We keep bumping into each other at events too.”
Superstar Chiranjeevi found himself at the center of social media criticism after a video went viral showing him shoving aside a fan who was attempting to take a selfie with him at an airport. The video, shared by numerous users on the microblogging site X, captured Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha Konidela exiting an elevator with their security team. The fan, attired in an airline uniform, first tried to take a selfie but was ignored. When he made another attempt as Chiranjeevi paused briefly, he was shoved aside by the actor.
In cinema news, the first look of the forthcoming movie “Hindi-Vindi” has been released, featuring Australian musician Guy Sebastian in a significant role alongside Neena Gupta and Mihir Ahuja. The film’s poster, unveiled yesterday, promised a musical drama highlighting the intergenerational language barriers faced by the migrant community. Directed by Ali Sayed, with music composed by Javed-Mohsin and Sebastian, the film is in its final stages of post-production and is slated for a September 2024 release, aligning with Hindi Diwas to celebrate the Hindi language.
Lastly, filmmaker Hansal Mehta has voiced his frustrations with the protracted governmental processes at authorized centers. Tagging the official account of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the body responsible for issuing Aadhaar cards, the National Award-winning filmmaker described the hurdles his daughter faced while trying to apply for her Aadhaar card. Highlighting the inefficiencies, Mehta revealed, “My daughter has been trying to apply for an Aadhar card since three weeks. She makes the long trek to the Aadhar office in Andheri East, braving rains, and reaching early. The senior manager keeps sending her back on some pretext or the other—get this signed, get this document, the stamp is not in the correct place, you don’t have an appointment today, I am on leave for a week. This is frustrating and nothing short of harassment.” Responding to his concerns, the UIDAI sought more detailed information to address the issue.
In conclusion, the Bombay High Court’s recent ruling on Arijit Singh’s case serves as a monumental development in the area of personality rights, potentially crafting new legal frameworks to protect artists. This, along with other varied stories in the entertainment industry, underscores the complex and multi-faceted nature of celebrity life today.
