Meta AI: Kamal Haasan has moved the Madras High Court to protect his personality rights, seeking to prevent unauthorized commercial use of his name, initials, portraits, images, and other attributes. The actor has filed a John Doe suit against unknown individuals and entities, including a Chennai-based firm, Neeye Vidai, which allegedly sold merchandise featuring his likeness without consent. ¹

[11/01, 17:06] Sekarreporter: ”
HOME
NEWS
INDIA
TAMIL NADU
Kamal Haasan moves Madras High Court to protect his personality rights
The lawsuit says no one should be allowed to exploit Haasan’s name, initials, images for commercial or personal gain without his express consent
Updated – January 11, 2026 02:17 pm IST – CHENNAI

MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.

A view of a T-shirt sold by a Chennai based firm with actor Kamal Haasan’s image. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Actor Kamal Haasan has filed a John Doe suit (a case filed against unknown individuals/entities) before the Madras High Court to protect his personality rights and prevent commercial exploitation of his name, initials, portraits, images or any other attributes related to his persona without his express consent.

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy is expected to hear the actor’s suit as well as his plea for interim injunctions on Monday (January 12, 2026). In his plaint, the 71-year-old actor told the court that he has been in the film industry since childhood and created a niche for himself through his expertise in various art forms.

”
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kamal-haasan-moves-madras-high-court-to-protect-his-personality-rights/article70496872.ece#:~:text=HOME,various%20art%20forms.
[11/01, 17:07] Meta AI: Kamal Haasan has moved the Madras High Court to protect his personality rights, seeking to prevent unauthorized commercial use of his name, initials, portraits, images, and other attributes. The actor has filed a John Doe suit against unknown individuals and entities, including a Chennai-based firm, Neeye Vidai, which allegedly sold merchandise featuring his likeness without consent. ¹ ² ³

Haasan’s lawsuit claims that such unauthorized use misleads the public into thinking he endorses these products, causing harm to his reputation. He’s seeking a permanent injunction against Neeye Vidai and other unknown entities, as well as interim injunctions to prevent the creation and distribution of infringing products and content.

The case is scheduled to be heard by Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on January 12, 2026. This move highlights the growing importance of intellectual property rights in the digital age, particularly for celebrities seeking to protect their persona.

Would you like to know more about personality rights in India or the implications of this lawsuit?