The makers of the upcoming film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal have informed the Delhi High Court that the movie cannot be released immediately because it has not yet been submitted to the censor board for certification. The statement was made during a Wednesday hearing addressing a plea by actor Salman Khan, who is seeking an immediate halt to the project’s release.
Counsel representing the filmmakers clarified that the movie currently lacks a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and will not be sent to the regulatory body until Monday, July 6. The defense was presented in response to assertions from Khan’s legal team that urgent court intervention was required to block the movie from hitting theaters.
Objections Over Promotional Material
The legal dispute escalated in June after Khan, 59, filed an application to protect his personality rights following the release of the film’s promotional teaser and first-look poster. Khan argues that the film is directly based on the decades-long blackbuck poaching case associated with him and violates an existing court injunction safeguarding his likeness.
According to Khan’s petition, the promotional poster released on May 29 contains clear references to him, including a character who bears a close physical resemblance and wears a signature bracelet closely associated with the actor.
Acquittal And Defamation Claims
While Khan was acquitted of related charges under the Arms Act by a Rajasthan court, his lawsuit notes that the character in the movie poster is depicted holding a firearm. The legal team contends this depiction spreads a false narrative that contradicts official court records and defames the actor’s reputation.
The petition further accuses the filmmakers of intentionally sensationalizing the historical poaching cases to generate controversy and secure public attention at the expense of Khan’s professional goodwill.
Cast Members Distance Themselves
In addition to the legal challenges, the project has faced internal friction. Two actors involved in the film, including veteran performer Govind Namdev, have distanced themselves from the production, stating they were unaware of how the movie was going to be marketed.
The current litigation builds upon a prior interim order obtained by Khan on December 11 of last year. That ruling restrained social media platforms and e-commerce websites from the unauthorized commercial exploitation of his name, images, persona, and overall likeness.
