The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of promotional teasers and social media content for the proposed film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal,” ruling that the project unauthorizedly exploits the commercial persona and goodwill of actor Salman Khan.
In an interim ruling issued on July 27, Justice Jyoti Singh restrained the filmmakers from hosting, sharing, or disseminating the film’s teaser and related promotional materials across all media formats, including digital networks, streaming services, television, and print publications.
Court Imposes 24-Hour Removal Deadline
The court gave the producers 24 hours to delete the contested posts from all online platforms. Under the directive, digital service providers including X, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Google LLC are required to remove the corresponding web links if the content creators fail to comply within the given timeframe.
In her ruling, Justice Singh observed that individual personality rights are recognized under Article 21 of the Constitution as an essential component of the right to privacy, dignity, and reputation. The court noted that publicizing promotional material that infringes on personal rights or damages an individual’s standing creates heightened harm when distributed through high-speed digital channels.
The judge stated that the overall narrative generated by the teaser and accompanying posts appeared to be an unauthorized strategy aimed at commercially exploiting the 59-year-old actor’s name, mannerisms, and distinctive personal traits without consent to drive viewership. Furthermore, the court highlighted that the teaser referenced ongoing legal proceedings regarding the blackbuck poaching case and implied witness intimidation, potentially causing grave and irreversible harm to the actor’s reputation.
Actor Alleges Defamation and Misuse of Identity
The legal action forms part of a broader suit filed by Khan seeking the protection of his personality rights and a stay on the release of the film. According to submissions by Khan’s legal counsel, a promotional poster released on May 29 and a subsequent teaser featured a character holding a firearm while wearing accessories strongly associated with the actor, including a specific bracelet and ear studs.
Khan’s legal team argued that the character’s depiction created a misleading and defamatory narrative, noting that the actor had previously been acquitted of charges under the Arms Act by a court in Rajasthan. Counsel further pointed out that the promotional campaign deliberately selected a character name close to Khan’s, referred to the protagonist using terms associated with his public persona, and falsely linked the actor to organized crime and international conspiracy theories to build publicity.
Filmmaker Denies Misrepresentation and Personality Rights Infringement
Responding to the court application, filmmaker Amit Jani asserted that the project does not constitute a biographical film about Salman Khan. In his response, Jani argued that public figures cannot assert exclusive ownership over criminal cases, judicial proceedings, historical events, or news coverage merely because they were involved in those occurrences.
The defense maintained that the promotional content did not involve false endorsements, unlawful impersonation, or commercial exploitation. The filmmakers informed the court that the movie had not yet been submitted to the censor board for release certification.
In a rejoinder, Khan stated that he was not claiming a monopoly over public records or historical events, but was objecting to the unauthorized commercial use of his uniquely identifiable personal features and likeness to attract commercial interest.
Background of Ongoing Legal Protections
The interim order follows a prior decision by the Delhi High Court on December 11, 2025, which granted Khan interim protection preventing online platforms and e-commerce websites from using his name, image, or likeness without authorization.
