The Delhi High Court has directed the makers of the upcoming Hindi film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy to remove its teaser and related promotional material after actor Salman Khan sought legal protection, arguing that the content unfairly linked him to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
According to Zoom TV, the order came during a hearing on Salman Khan’s plea seeking an interim injunction against the film’s release and promotional campaign. The actor argued that the teaser and associated material could seriously damage his reputation by implying a connection with the long-running poaching case and the controversy surrounding gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Justice Jyoti Singh, who heard the matter, stressed the urgency of the issue and observed that the promotional campaign should stop immediately. The court noted that allowing the material to remain online could cause irreparable harm to Khan’s reputation.
In his petition, Salman Khan argued that although the teaser does not mention him by name, it clearly identifies him through visual cues. He said the character wears his signature blue bracelet and bears a close resemblance to him, making the reference unmistakable for viewers.
The actor also contended that the film presents a misleading version of events linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, causing serious damage to his public image.
Khan further alleged that producer Amit Jani deliberately connected the film with both the poaching case and Lawrence Bishnoi through interviews and social media posts. According to the petition, the filmmaker attempted to commercially exploit Khan’s identity and public persona without his consent.
The plea also claimed that the film violated his personality and publicity rights by using visual and contextual references that clearly pointed towards him.
Salman Khan further objected to a scene in the teaser showing a character resembling him holding a gun. He argued that the portrayal could mislead audiences, particularly because he was acquitted in the Arms Act case related to the same incident.
The court’s order requiring the removal of the teaser and related promotional material marks a significant legal victory for the actor as the dispute over the film continues.
