Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan to Appear in Person for Personality Rights Case

The Delhi High Court has issued a directive requiring veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan to appear in person for the next scheduled hearing of his personality rights lawsuit. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated that the actor’s physical presence will be mandatory on November 16, 2026, should the ongoing settlement process with defendants remain unresolved or if he chooses to persist with his claims.This development follows an October 9 session where the court was informed that an amicable agreement had been reached with some of the defendants. However, counsel for Mr. Bachchan, advocate Dhruv Anand, requested additional time to finalize the logistical formalities required to formally record the settlement. The court granted this extension, allowing the parties further time to conclude the necessary documentation before the November deadline.The legal proceedings, which date back to 2022, were initiated after the actor sought a permanent injunction against the unauthorized commercial exploitation of his celebrity persona. Mr. Bachchan’s suit alleges that various entities have used his name, image, voice, and unique personality attributes without his consent to promote lottery schemes, merchandise, and other commercial activities. In November 2022, the court previously granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction to provide the actor with temporary protection against such misuse.The court clarified that its recent directive is conditional. Should the settlement be successfully concluded and placed on record, the requirement for a personal appearance may change. If the matter remains pending, however, the court will invoke provisions under the Code of Civil Procedure and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, to facilitate the direct examination of the parties involved. As of now, the case continues to move through the judicial process, with legal teams representing both the plaintiff and the defendants preparing for the upcoming November hearing.