The case highlights the legal risks of using a celebrity's identity for commerce without permission, even with good intentions. (Image: Social Media)
The owner of Hyderabad’s ‘Chiranjeevi Dhaba’ has spoken out after getting a legal notice for using Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s name and image. In a viral video, he confirmed receiving the notice but said the issue has been resolved, as he now has the actor’s permission to keep running the restaurant.
The Chiranjeevi Dhaba, located in Nallagandla, Hyderabad, was one of nearly 60 establishments served with a legal notice. This action was a direct result of a broader legal move by the actor to protect his personality rights. In October, the Hyderabad Civil Court granted an ad-interim injunction in Chiranjeevi's favour, preventing the unauthorized commercial use of his name, image, and voice. The dhaba, which was launched in April of this year, was using the star's name and likeness without official permission, leading to it being included in this legal sweep.
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The restaurant's owner, Ravi Tej, took to Instagram to address the rumours swirling on social media. In a clarification video, he confirmed receiving the notice but stressed that his intentions were pure. He described himself as an "ardent admirer" of Chiranjeevi and stated that he started the dhaba out of "good intentions and pure admiration." He and his team proactively met with Chiranjeevi's representatives to convey their side of the story and find a peaceful solution, instead of contesting the notice.
The owner's belief that the star would "respond positively" once he knew their genuine intent reportedly proved correct. Ravi Tej claimed in his video that they subsequently "received Chiranjeevi’s consent to run the restaurant with his name." He ended his statement by directly thanking the megastar for his understanding and for granting them permission. This result implies that the lawsuit was not necessarily directed against all fan-based tributes, but rather at unapproved and perhaps harmful commercial uses.
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