Actor Sakshi Malik has recently filed a defamation suit against the makers of Telugu film, V and makers of Venkateshwara Creations Pvt Ltd for allegedly using her photos without permission in the movie. Reportedly, the photos were used in the film, referring to her as a commercial sex worker which compelled Sakshi to file a complaint against the makers of the film. According to PTI, the Bombay High Court has asked the OTT platform Amazon Prime Videos to take it down until the said scene is deleted.
Furthermore, Justice Gautam Patel who was hearing the case granted ad-interim order restraining the defendants not to release or telecast the motion picture on any platform until the requirement is fulfilled. “Simply using another’s image, and most especially a private image, without consent is prima facie impermissible, unlawful and entirely illegal. In a given case, it may also be defamatory, depending on the type of use,” the court said in its order. "The fact that the image has been illicitly used is bad enough. It only makes matters worse when used in a plainly derogatory and demeaning vein," Justice Patel said.
"It is not acceptable for them (movie's makers) to merely pixelate or blur the images. The entire sequence, which has the image of the plaintiff (Malik), is to be removed immediately," Justice Patel further said. The reports further state that the pictures are from her portfolio her Instagram account that was made in August 2017.
The movie V released on September 5, 2020, and was available on the OTT platform soon after. However, the particular scene irked Sakshi Malik who then filed the case against the makers. Reportedly, the court gave the OTT platform 24 hours to take it down. It is further said the matter will now be heard on March 8, 2021.
Image source: Instagram/ sakshimalikk