In an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent, the entertainment industry faces a new challenge: the duplication of personalities and voices through AI. Amid these rising concerns, veteran singer Kumar Sanu has decided to take legal action to protect his personality rights, following in the footsteps of renowned actors Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor.
Kumar Sanu, a name synonymous with melodious hits and a unique vocal texture, is worried about the misuse of his iconic voice with the advent of AI. Speaking to HT City, Sanu expressed his concerns and revealed his plans to seek a court order for protection. “Kisi bhi singer ka duplicate ban jaaye, I don’t think this will be correct. One has to protect themselves by way of such methods. AI is dangerous,” Sanu stated.
Having spent decades in the industry, Kumar Sanu’s voice remains one of the most distinctive and recognizable. The singer has noticed a troubling trend where AI-generated content mimics the voices of well-known personalities, posing a significant threat to their identity and legacy. This prompted him to take a stand and ensure that his voice cannot be replicated without permission.
The rise of AI has led to an influx of digitalized versions of celebrities performing actions they would not typically do, raising serious concerns about identity theft and misrepresentation. Following Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor, who have already secured their personality rights, Kumar Sanu is the latest to join the movement against AI misuse.
Sanu’s primary concern lies with the “remake culture” prevalent in the music industry. While he understands the appeal of nostalgic hits, he questions why original singers capable of performing their songs anew are overlooked in favor of AI-generated covers. “Music ka jo criteria tha usko khatam karne pe tule hain. I am okay if they remake old songs, but if the original singer is still capable of singing it again, then usse achha koi aur nahi gaa paayega,” Sanu added.
In recent years, the Delhi High Court has issued injunctions protecting the personality rights of actors like Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, preventing unauthorized use of their names and likenesses. Kumar Sanu’s decision to pursue similar legal measures underscores the growing awareness and need for such protections in the entertainment industry.
As technology continues to evolve, artists like Kumar Sanu are taking necessary steps to safeguard their identities and ensure their work remains authentic. This move is a significant step in the ongoing battle against the misuse of AI in the creative arts.
