Can we protect the rights of Hansika in her series LOVE SHAADI DRAMA?

In order to analyse which protection would suit her, we first need to analyse whether the show LOVE SHAADI DRAMA is a reality show or a documentary series.

The show has features of both, a reality show and a documentary series. Hence it will fall under the category of a docu-drama series.

So, when we talk about which law would protect the characters, we first need to understand what character copyright is and right of publicity.

When a character is depicted through an actor or actress, the person who created the character owns the copyright for the character. This is because the actor or actress do not showcase their likeness or other personal indications, rather they act like the character written by the creators of the character.

In shows like LOVE SHAADI DRAMA there is an added element of drama which is scripted and directed by another person. Also, Ms. Hansika's true identity is also being portrayed.

Similar to other reality shows like BIG BOSS, wherein the producers of the reality show may get into a contractual agreement with the participants of the show, we can only assume that the actors/people being portrayed in the series LOVE SHAADI DRAMA have entered a commercial contract wherein the actors have given the producers the exclusive right to use the actor's name, image or likeness with the story in connection. This means, the Right of Publicity has been licensed for commercial gain.

There is a thin line between RoPub and Character copyright in such docu-dramas and scripted reality shows. Hence while licensing the Right of Publicity, many clauses such as the time frame, the indemnity and many other will be very clear.

Some shows may be marketed as a documentary show, but in reality, it could be a scripted reality show. Hence it can only be assumed that in such series there is a combination of both the abovementioned rights involved.