On Friday, reports emerged that Salman Khan has moved the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', alleging it infringes upon his personality rights. The court has issued a notice on the actor's interim application, which aims to restrain the filmmakers from releasing the movie. This development follows the release of the film's teaser, which features an actor resembling Khan, complete with his signature bracelet.
Court Proceedings
A vacation bench led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna considered the actor's plea, part of a larger suit to protect his personality rights. The court issued a notice to the defendants and scheduled the next hearing for June 19. Representing Khan, advocate Nizam Pasha argued that the film's promotional material directly references the actor and unlawfully exploits his identity. He noted that a poster released on May 29 showed an individual closely resembling Khan and cited a previous High Court order recognizing the actor's personality rights.
Pasha addressed the court, stating, "A film is sought to be made exploiting my personality rights. We are asking for an injunction on this film. Total 4 FIRs, in 3 I have been acquitted. Now a film is made exploiting my personality rights. Every day in press my name is bandied. We are asking for injunction of the film. This morning they have released the trailer."
Film's Release Date Questioned
The court inquired about the film's release date. Pasha responded that while the trailer had been unveiled, no release date had been announced. He reiterated the request for an injunction on the project. The court noted that notice must be issued to the defendants before any further orders could be considered.
Allegations in the Petition
In his petition, Salman Khan alleged that the film is inspired by the 1998 blackbuck poaching case and his purported conflict with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The plea claims that promotional content includes a lookalike of the actor wearing his signature blue bracelet, a feature closely associated with him. Khan also objected to a poster depicting the lookalike carrying a rifle or firearm, arguing that such imagery creates a misleading narrative, especially since he was acquitted in the Arms Act proceedings related to the case.
The petition further asserts that despite receiving a legal notice on April 24, the filmmakers continued promoting the project and allegedly shared content linking the film to the actor. Describing the film as a violation of his recognized personality rights, Khan seeks immediate relief to prevent the development, production, promotion, and publication of 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy' until the matter is adjudicated.
