Daily News & Analysis
Mumbai, Feb 26: Film actor Aamir Khan has served a notice on The Times of India (TOI), its publishers Bennett,Coleman & Co Ltd and two others for publishing his picture, attributing a false quote and has asked to pay Rs 21 crore as compensation for damages caused to his image.
Aamir Khan, through Advocate Anand Desai of DSK Legal, served this notice on February 22 and has strongly objected to a half page advertisement for Filmfare Awards that appeared in TOI on February 20 in which his picture has been used.
The advertisement reads: “I incited a revolt to win her over!” Aamir Khan on the Lady in Black
Khan’s lawyer has pointed out that his client has never said the words quoted nor has he authorised the newspaper in any manner to publish his photograph in order to endorse or promote or associate him with the awards and the event (which eventually was held on Saturday night) in which these awards are to be given.
Stating that the publication of the photograph and quote that he has not given invades Khan’s rights and is in violation of law, the notice further points out that no prior consent was sought from him nor was he communicated about it.
Finally, the notice calls upon the TOI to refrain from using his photograph, image in order to promote or endorse any event or product in any matter other than with his written consent and also to refrain from attributing to him any words which he has not uttered or communicated. The notice has also asked TOI to publish a written apology within a week from the receipt of the notice and clarify that ‘he does not promote or endorse Filmfare or Filmfare Awards’.
Even after this, the notice says that Khan reserves the rights, including his right to claim further damages from TOI because the extent of damages caused to him due to publication of advertisement cannot be calculated in monetary terms. Aamir Khan is busy with the shooting of his new film Fana in Poland.
When contacted, P M Rao, Legal Advisor of TOI, said, “I am not aware of the notice and therefore have nothing to say.”