Rajpal Yadav, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh: A look at Bollywood's ongoing legal storms

Actor Rajpal Yadav, known for his comic performances in films like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, recently faced a setback in a long-running cheque-bounce matter. In early February 2026, the Delhi High Court declined to grant him additional time and directed him to surrender. He subsequently surrendered at Tihar Jail after the court cited repeated non-compliance with settlement assurances. The court also permitted the release of cheque amounts to the complainant, intensifying the spotlight on the case.

In January 2026, a Mumbai civil court granted interim relief to Salman Khan in a defamation case against filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap. The court restrained Kashyap from making what it termed “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” remarks about Khan and his family following a series of interviews and podcasts.

Ajay Devgn approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against AI-generated deepfake content and misuse of his image online. The case reflects a growing trend where celebrities treat deepfake manipulation as identity infringement rather than harmless internet humour. Legal remedies in such matters typically involve takedown orders and restrictions on further circulation.

Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming project ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ landed in legal controversy after objections were raised over its title. Reports indicate that an FIR was lodged in Lucknow alleging that the name hurt caste or community sentiments. Following the backlash, the teaser was withdrawn. Bajpayee and the makers clarified that the title was not intended to target any group, but the issue nevertheless moved into legal territory.

An FIR was registered against actor Ranveer Singh at Bengaluru’s High Grounds Police Station following a court directive in January 2026, stemming from a complaint by advocate Prashanth Methal. The complaint alleges that Singh’s stage act at the IFFI 2025 closing ceremony in Goa on November 28, 2025, insulted the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka by referring to the deity as a "female ghost". Later, Ranveer Singh issued an unconditional apology, stating his intention was to honor Rishab Shetty's performance and that he holds deep respect for all traditions.

In February 2026, actor Vivek Oberoi secured an interim order from the Delhi High Court to protect his personality rights against the misuse of his name, image, and voice via AI-generated deepfakes and fake social media accounts. The Court restrained several entities from using his persona without consent, citing significant reputational damage.