YouTube Deletes Hundreds of AI-Generated Bollywood Videos After Deepfake Controversy

Report by: Syed Taskin Ahmed 

New Delhi, October 4, 2025 — In a major crackdown on AI-generated content, YouTube has removed hundreds of videos featuring deepfake versions of Bollywood celebrities, following a legal complaint by actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

According to reports, the deleted videos had collectively garnered over 16 million views and were circulating across multiple channels. These videos allegedly misused the actors’ likenesses — including their faces, voices, and gestures — created through artificial intelligence without their consent.

🎬 The Legal Battle

The Bachchan couple recently filed a ₹4 crore lawsuit (approximately USD 480,000) against Google and YouTube in the Delhi High Court, citing violation of their personality rights, misuse of image and reputation, and mental distress caused by manipulated content.

Their petition argues that such AI-generated deepfakes not only defame public figures but also risk spreading misinformation and compromising an individual’s digital identity. The court subsequently ordered the removal of 518 specific video links from YouTube and directed the platform to take “proactive measures” to prevent similar content from resurfacing.

🧠 YouTube’s Response

In an official statement, YouTube confirmed that many of the flagged videos and associated channels had been deleted — some voluntarily by creators, others removed by the platform itself.

> “We have strict policies against misleading or manipulated content that causes harm,” a Google spokesperson said. “We’re continuously improving our AI detection systems to identify deepfakes and other deceptive media.”

However, several similar videos reportedly remain online, highlighting the challenge of policing AI-generated misinformation at scale.

⚖️ Personality Rights and AI Ethics in India

The case has reignited debate over “personality rights” — a legal concept that protects an individual’s image, voice, and likeness from unauthorized commercial or creative use.

While countries like the U.S. and U.K. have clearer precedents, India lacks a comprehensive law defining or safeguarding these rights. Legal experts believe this case could set a precedent for regulating AI-generated likenesses in Indian media.

Additionally, the petition urges the court to direct YouTube and other AI companies to prevent such deepfakes from being used in model training datasets, warning that this could lead to further misuse and “perpetuation of false narratives.”

🌍 Global Implications

This development comes amid a global wave of legal challenges surrounding AI-generated celebrity deepfakes — from Hollywood actors to politicians. The Bachchan case marks one of the first major AI-related lawsuits in Indian entertainment, underscoring growing concerns over digital impersonation and the ethical limits of generative technology.

📌 Key Takeaway

Over 500 AI-generated Bollywood videos deleted by YouTube

Abhishek & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan file ₹4 crore lawsuit

Delhi High Court orders strict takedown and monitoring

Sparks call for clear legal framework on personality rights and AI ethics in India