In a remarkable turn of events, the Delhi High Court has recently safeguarded the unique personality and trademark style of veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff. This protective measure aims to prevent the unauthorised commercial use of his name, photographs, voice, and the colloquial term “Bhidu” without his explicit consent. However, amid this judicial safeguard, a notable exception has surfaced—comedian Krushna Abhishek has been granted the exclusive privilege to impersonate Jackie Shroff.
Jackie Shroff’s persona is a distinct blend of style and charisma that has earned him a dedicated fan base over the years. Recognized for his unique walk, talk, and presence, he moved to the Delhi High Court in May this year to seek protection of his personality and publicity rights. The legal action targeted various entities that had been exploiting his name, images, voice, and notably, the affectionate term “Bhidu” for commercial benefits without his permission. The court’s favourable ruling now prohibits these entities from further use of Shroff’s likeness and associated elements for commercial purposes.
Despite the comprehensive court order, comedian Krushna Abhishek stands as an exception. Permitted by Shroff himself, Krushna has been given the green light to continue impersonating the beloved actor. Krushna, known widely for his adept imitations of numerous Bollywood celebrities including Sunny Deol, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan, has often brought to life a humorous portrayal of Jackie Shroff on various television platforms.
Krushna is a familiar face on “The Great Indian Kapil Show,” among other television shows, where his character impersonations consistently draw laughter from the audience. Recently, the comedian entertained viewers with his Jackie Shroff impersonation on “Laughter Chefs,” a show aired as part of the promotional activities for “Khatron Ke Khiladi.” Joining him was Krishna Shroff, Jackie’s daughter, who was equally thrilled by his performance.
During a conversation with IndiaToday.in, Krushna divulged that he enjoys a unique permission from Jackie Shroff to continue portraying his character in his comedic acts despite the court ruling. Speaking about this exclusive arrangement, Krushna shared, “I am the only one who has been given the privilege to mimic Jaggu Dada (Jackie Shroff) on television. He loves my performance and even his son Tiger Shroff enjoys it immensely.
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Krushna also mentioned his on-screen rendezvous with Jackie during the filming of their upcoming movie, “Welcome To The Jungle,” where Jackie plays the villain. “On the set, we had a fantastic time. During breaks, Jackie Dada would often ask me to show him videos of my performances imitating him. He genuinely enjoys watching them,” Krushna added.
This scenario underpins the growing concern among celebrities about protecting their personalities and public personas from unauthorised exploitation. Jackie Shroff’s legal action is not an isolated incident; other prominent Bollywood actors have taken similar steps. Anil Kapoor, another Bollywood veteran, secured a legal restraint on the use of his name and personality for commercial endeavours some time ago. Similarly, in 2022, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan pursued a legal route to prevent the unauthorised use of his voice and image for commercial gain. These legal precedents highlight the significance of protecting celebrities’ exclusive rights over their personal brands, especially in an era where digital media has exponentially increased the risk of misuse.
On the professional front, Jackie Shroff recently appeared in the blockbuster movie “Jailer,” starring alongside cinematic legends Rajinikanth and Mohanlal. His performance, as always, garnered much acclaim. Up next, fans can look forward to seeing him in “Baby John,” a film that features Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi in lead roles.
The Delhi High Court’s ruling marks a pivotal decision in affirming the rights of public figures to control their personal brands and protect their identity from unauthorised commercial exploitation. While the court’s decision extensively covers the unauthorised use of Jackie Shroff’s name, voice, and images—including popular nicknames like “Jackie” and “Jaggu Dadda”—it makes an intriguing exception for Krushna Abhishek. This unique permission underscores the respect and mutual admiration between the legendary actor and the comedian.
In a world where digital platforms can amplify both reverence and misuse, legal safeguards like these ensure that icons such as Jackie Shroff retain the ability to manage and protect their personalities exclusively.
