Delhi High Court Tells Vivek Oberoi To Accept 'Bouquets and Brickbats' In His Personality Rights Suit

The Delhi High Court on Friday observed that public figures must be prepared to accept both “bouquets and brickbats”, cautioning actor Vivek Anand Oberoi against becoming “hyper-sensitive” while hearing an application filed by Reddit seeking vacation of an ad-interim injunction earlier granted in his favour.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the remarks during proceedings in the personality suit filed by the actor, where the actor has sought protection of his personality and publicity rights. The court had previously passed an ad interim order directing certain websites and online platforms to take down links listed in the annexure to the order and to furnish user information within 72 hours.

When the matter was taken up on Reddit's application seeking vacation of the interim order, counsel for the platform submitted that the plaintiff had included websites in the annexure that may not necessarily be infringing his publicity or personality rights.

Reddit contended that it is a platform “where people ask questions and others answer those questions” and argued that no such alleged infringement of the actor's rights was occurring on its website.

Addressing the plaintiff's side during the hearing, the Court remarked, “As a public figure you have a lot of people who say good things and bad things; you cannot become hyper-sensitive.”

Justice Gedela added, “Bouquets and brickbats both will come; both have to be taken. It is not like only bouquets will come and brickbats won't, right? Just understand if something is defamatory or derogatory.”

The actor sought four weeks' time to file a reply to Reddit's application. The court directed that the plaintiff would have to respond to the plea and issued notice on the application. Notice was accepted on behalf of Oberoi, and four weeks' time was granted to file a reply.

During the hearing, Reddit submitted that the earlier order required it to take down all links mentioned in the annexure within 72 hours and to provide details of certain users. It pointed out that the 72-hour period had already lapsed and sought time for compliance until disposal of its application to vacate the injunction.

The court declined to stay the directions, stating, “No, this we cannot do.” However, it directed Reddit to file a compliance affidavit explaining the steps taken and, where compliance was not possible, to provide reasons. “We are not stopping you; you are not going to be pulled up for contempt. Just have to give reasons, we will have to measure it first,” Justice Gedela said.

The matter is now listed for further hearing on April 21, 2026.