The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of the teaser and several promotional materials related to the upcoming film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, granting interim relief to actor Salman Khan.
The court observed that the film’s promotional content appeared to create a direct association between the actor and the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, raising concerns that it could harm his reputation.
‘Reputation once lost is lost’: Delhi High Court
While hearing Salman Khan’s plea seeking an interim injunction against the film’s release and promotion, Justice Jyoti Singh remarked that protecting an individual’s reputation was essential.
“This must stop. Reputation once lost is lost,” the court observed during the hearing.
The court also indicated that interviews and online promotional content featuring the film’s producer, Amit Jani, may also be removed.
Why did Salman Khan approach the court?
According to the plea, although the teaser does not explicitly mention Salman Khan, it allegedly portrays a character closely resembling him.
The actor argued that the teaser includes:
- A lookalike wearing his signature blue bracelet.
- Visual references allegedly linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
- Scenes showing the character holding a firearm, despite Khan’s acquittal in the connected Arms Act case.
Salman Khan contended that these elements make him easily identifiable and unfairly associate him with past legal proceedings, thereby damaging his public image.
Producer allegedly linked film to Lawrence Bishnoi controversy
The plea further claimed that producer Amit Jani connected the film to both the blackbuck case and the Lawrence Bishnoi controversy through interviews, social media posts and public statements to generate publicity.
The court noted that the promotional material appeared to draw a connection between Salman Khan and the ongoing controversy involving gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has repeatedly issued threats against the actor over the alleged blackbuck hunting incident.
Actor cites violation of personality rights
Salman Khan also argued that the film commercially exploits his identity without his permission.
According to the petition, while his name is not used, the combination of visual cues, styling and contextual references creates a strong impression that the character is based on him, amounting to a violation of his personality and publicity rights.
The interim order directs the removal of the teaser and related online promotional material while the matter continues before the court.
