The Bombay High Court has thrown its weight behind legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, granting her temporary relief against AI platforms accused of cloning and exploiting her voice.
As reported by the Times of India, Bhosle alleged that two U.S.-based companies had created unauthorized AI models mimicking her voice, vocal style, and even her stage persona—then allowed the public to generate audio recordings in her likeness.
In essence, someone could “sing like Asha Bhosle” at the click of a button, without her consent.
The court’s decision isn’t just about one artist; it signals a broader recognition of what’s at stake as AI voice tech gets more sophisticated.
We’re talking about a singer whose voice has been part of India’s cultural soundtrack for decades, and suddenly algorithms are twisting that legacy into a product.
It raises the uncomfortable question: is your identity still yours when machines can copy it so perfectly?
This isn’t an isolated case either. Just days ago, Whoopi Goldberg warned audiences about the growing use of AI-generated “actors” like Tilly Norwood, arguing that synthetic performers will never carry the emotional depth of real artists.
Her words echo Bhosle’s fight—different continents, same battle over authenticity.
Even the gaming world has seen its share of backlash. Developers of the remastered Tomb Raider titles recently had to scrub out AI-generated voiceovers after fans and voice actors raised concerns.
The studio quickly apologized, but it shows how casually AI voice cloning is slipping into creative industries, often without asking permission from the humans whose voices are being imitated.
Music platforms are also starting to draw the line. Spotify recently tightened its rules on AI voice clones in songs uploaded to its service, aiming to prevent impersonation before it spirals into chaos.
It’s a sign that industry players know regulation is coming—and they’d rather get ahead of the scandal than clean up afterward.
From my perspective, Bhosle’s case is more than just a legal skirmish—it’s a cultural stand. She represents a generation of singers who built their careers on sheer talent and sweat, not code.
To see her voice cut, spliced, and sold like merchandise is jarring, even heartbreaking. Maybe the court order is just temporary, but it’s a shot across the bow to AI companies everywhere: you can’t just pluck someone’s identity out of thin air and turn it into a product. At least, not without a fight.