The Delhi High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on actor Salman Khan's plea against the makers of the film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', which he alleges violates his personality and publicity rights. The court granted the filmmakers additional time to file their response, with the next hearing scheduled before the roster bench on July 1.
Court Proceedings
The matter was heard by the vacation bench of Justice Madhu Jain. Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Salman Khan, urged the court to grant immediate interim relief, arguing that the filmmakers were unlawfully using the actor's life story and public image for commercial gain without his approval. "He is producing a film on my life and tearing up the notice. He has no right to make a film of my life. I am seeking an interim injunction. The teaser has already been released," Sethi told the court.
The filmmakers' counsel sought time to submit a formal reply, stating that a copy of the application had only been received on Wednesday. Opposing this request, Sethi maintained that the respondents had already been served and that proof of service had been filed before the court.
Death Threats Alleged
During the proceedings, the filmmakers' lawyer also informed the court that he had allegedly received death threats and had registered an FIR in connection with the matter. Sethi further argued that promotional content linked to the film had already been released and that the makers could not continue using Khan's identity and persona without consent. The filmmakers opposed any interim order restraining the project.
After hearing both sides, the court noted that the producer and director had only recently received the complete pleadings. It directed Salman Khan's legal team to provide all relevant documents to the respondents and listed the matter before the roster bench on July 1.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute stems from Khan's claim that 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy' violates his personality and publicity rights while also harming his reputation. Earlier, the High Court had issued notice in the matter after being informed that the film's trailer had been released despite an earlier indication that it would only be unveiled on June 20.
According to Khan's plea, the film and its promotional campaign are inspired by events surrounding the 1998 blackbuck hunting case. While the actor's name is not explicitly mentioned, he argues that the posters, promotional material and statements made by those associated with the project make it clear that the character is meant to represent him.
The petition specifically points to a poster released in May 2026, which allegedly features a character resembling Khan and wearing a bracelet similar to his iconic blue bracelet. It further claims that the character is shown carrying a firearm, despite Khan's acquittal in the Arms Act case, creating what he describes as a misleading portrayal.
Impact on Legal Proceedings
Khan has also argued that certain portions of the film appear to reference legal matters that are still pending before higher courts. According to the plea, the circulation of such content could influence ongoing proceedings and potentially affect his right to a fair trial.
The application additionally cites interviews, social media posts and public remarks allegedly made by producer Amit Jani linking the film to the blackbuck case and gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Khan contends that these references are being used to attract attention and publicity by capitalising on his identity and public persona.
