Bollywood actor Salman Khan has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against the makers of the proposed film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy” accusing the project of “unlawful exploitation of his personal rights” and that it could have an adverse impact on his reputation and the ongoing judicial proceedings in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
The petition states that the film and its promotional materials are inspired by or based on events related to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in which Khan was involved, PTI reported. It is seeking an interim injunction restraining the film’s producer Amit Jani, Jani Firefox Films, director Bharat Shrinate, Akshay Pandey and other persons associated with the project from producing, promoting, distributing, showing, broadcasting or releasing the proposed film pending the disposition of the suit.
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Khan asserts that although his name is not used explicitly, the film’s posters, promotional content, and public statements by those associated with the film make it “easily recognizable to viewers.”
The petition claims that the main character resembles Salman
The petition states that the film’s poster released in May 2026 shows a character bearing a “resemblance” to Khan as he appears wearing a bracelet resembling the actor’s famous blue bracelet, which the petition claims has become uniquely associated with him in the public imagination.
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The petition also claims that the character is shown brandishing a firearm, despite Khan being acquitted in proceedings under the Arms Act, 1959. The Bollywood actor claimed that such a narrative could be “misleading”. He also stated that the story of the film seems to be inspired by the series of events that are the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings before the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court.
The petition argues that publishing content based on such matters could prejudice the pending proceedings and interfere with his right to a fair trial.
The application also accuses producer Amit Jani of making general statements where he said that the proposed film was described as being inspired by the Blackbuck case and the dispute involving gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
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The petition cites interviews, social media posts and promotional materials that allegedly link the film to Khan, and asserts that these materials are being used to generate publicity and commercial interest by drawing on his public persona.
Salman issued a legal notice to the makers
According to the petition, Khan had earlier issued a legal notice dated April 24, 2026, calling on those associated with the project to cease and desist the development, production and promotion of the film. The application states that despite the notice, promotional activities allegedly continued, prompting the actor to seek urgent judicial intervention.
The petition also alleges that some social media posts made by Amit Jani after receiving the legal notice sought to publicize the dispute and included statements that the actor considered defamatory. The app claims that the continued circulation of promotional materials and public statements causes harm to Khan’s reputation and goodwill.
Khan argued that the film amounts to a violation of his personal and publicity rights, which the Delhi High Court had recognized and protected in an earlier order dated November 11, 2025.
The representative sought directions restraining the defendants from releasing, publishing, advertising or distributing any teaser, trailer, poster or other promotional material relating to Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, as well as an order restraining further development and production of the project until the dispute is finally decided.
(with ANI inputs)
