Delhi High Court Seeks Response on Salman Khan’s Plea Against Film ‘Kala Hiran’, Hearing on June 19

June 12, 2026 : The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice on an interim application filed by actor Salman Khan seeking to restrain the makers of the proposed film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy from producing, promoting, releasing, or otherwise exploiting the project, alleging violation of his personality and publicity rights.

The matter came up before the Vacation Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna in a pending civil suit filed by Khan for protection of his personality rights. The Court has sought responses from the defendants and listed the matter for further hearing on June 19.

Appearing for the actor, Advocate Nizam Pasha argued that the filmmakers were attempting to commercially exploit Khan’s identity and public image through a project allegedly inspired by the 1998 blackbuck poaching case and his reported dispute with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The counsel informed the Court that a poster released on May 29 featured a person closely resembling Khan and that a trailer of the film had already been made public.

Khan’s counsel contended that the project amounted to an unauthorised use of the actor’s personality rights and sought an injunction against the film. It was also submitted that although several criminal cases had been registered against Khan in connection with the blackbuck incident, he had been acquitted in three of them. Despite this, the actor’s name continued to be linked to the film through media reports and promotional content, allegedly harming his reputation.

During the hearing, the Court asked about the film’s proposed release date. Counsel stated that while the trailer had been released, no official release date had yet been announced. He nevertheless urged the Court to prevent further development and promotion of the project.

According to the plea, the film contains clear references to Khan despite not explicitly naming him. The petition claims that promotional material depicts a lookalike wearing the actor’s signature blue bracelet, a feature widely associated with him. It further alleges that one poster shows the character holding a firearm, creating an impression inconsistent with judicial findings in the criminal proceedings.

The actor argued that such portrayals could mislead the public, particularly because he had been acquitted in proceedings under the Arms Act. The plea maintains that the film falsely associates him with events and circumstances that do not reflect the judicial record.

Khan also alleged that despite a legal notice issued on April 24, 2026, calling upon the producers to stop developing and promoting the project, they continued to publicise the film and circulate content linking it to him. According to the petition, the promotional campaign has deliberately used his identity, image, and reputation to generate publicity and commercial benefit.

Describing the proposed film as a serious infringement of his recognised personality rights, Khan has sought immediate injunctive relief against its development, production, publication, promotion, and release until the suit is decided.

After hearing the submissions, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the defendants and scheduled the matter for further consideration on June 19.