Delhi HC adjourns Salman Khan plea against 'Kala Hiran' film release
Synopsis
Salman Khan has taken the makers of 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy' to the Delhi High Court, arguing the film exploits his personality rights by drawing on his 1998 blackbuck poaching case and alleged Lawrence Bishnoi rivalry — without his consent. The case, now heading into its second consecutive hearing day, could set a significant precedent for how Indian courts treat celebrity personality rights in biographical or inspired cinema.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court adjourned Salman Khan's plea against 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy' on 9 July due to paucity of time.
The matter will be heard next before Justice Jyoti Singh on Friday .
Khan contends the film exploits his personality rights and falsely portrays events associated with him without consent.
The film is reportedly inspired by Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case and his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi .
Directed by Bharat S.
Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani , the film's poster and trailer have already been released despite no confirmed release date.
No interim relief has been granted so far; filmmakers cited incomplete document service as a procedural objection.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, 9 July adjourned the hearing on Bollywood actor Salman Khan's petition seeking to restrain the release of the proposed film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', citing paucity of time. The matter will next be heard on Friday before a single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh.
Background to the Dispute
Khan moved the Delhi High Court contending that the film unlawfully exploits his personality rights and falsely portrays events associated with him without his consent. According to the petition, the film draws from his 1998 blackbuck poaching case and his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
The court had earlier issued notice to filmmaker Amit Jani and other respondents on Khan's plea for interim relief. At a prior hearing, the bench adjourned proceedings without granting any interim order, directing that a complete copy of the plaint and accompanying documents be furnished to the respondent filmmaker.
What Khan's Legal Team Argued
Salman Khan's counsel, advocate Nizam Pasha, submitted that the film is purportedly based on the actor's life and sought an injunction against the project. Pasha informed the court that the film's poster and trailer had already been released even though a formal release date had not yet been announced.
Khan's legal team had earlier issued a notice to the makers of 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', demanding they halt the film's release and pull down all promotional material, including posters and publicity content.
Filmmakers Push Back
Counsel for the filmmakers opposed the plea for urgent relief, submitting that they had not been served a complete set of case documents — a procedural objection the court acknowledged before adjourning. Directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani, the film is reportedly inspired by Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case and also depicts his alleged rivalry with Lawrence Bishnoi. The makers have described it as a blend of courtroom drama and crime thriller mounted on an international scale.
What Happens Next
The case returns to the Delhi High Court on Friday, where Justice Singh is expected to take up arguments on the interim relief sought by Khan. Whether the court grants a stay on the film's release — or allows promotions to continue pending a fuller hearing — will be closely watched by the Indian film industry, given the broader implications for personality rights jurisprudence.
Point of View
Yet two hearings have passed without interim relief, allowing promotional material to remain in circulation. That gap between filing and protection is precisely where the industry will be watching. If the court does not act quickly, the promotional cycle may render any eventual injunction commercially moot. More broadly, with several films in recent years drawing on real figures' controversies, a clear judicial framework on consent and personality rights is overdue.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Salman Khan approached the Delhi High Court over 'Kala Hiran'?
Salman Khan has petitioned the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain the release of 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', arguing it unlawfully exploits his personality rights and falsely portrays events associated with him — including his 1998 blackbuck poaching case and alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi — without his consent.
What is 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy'?
It is a Bollywood film directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani, reportedly inspired by Salman Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case and his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The makers describe it as a courtroom drama and crime thriller; its poster and trailer have already been released.
Has the Delhi High Court granted any relief to Salman Khan so far?
No interim relief has been granted as of 9 July. The court issued notice to the filmmakers at an earlier hearing but adjourned proceedings twice — first to ensure complete documents were served, and again on Thursday due to paucity of time.
When is the next hearing in the Salman Khan vs 'Kala Hiran' case?
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday before a single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh. Arguments on the interim relief sought by Khan are expected to be taken up at that hearing.
What are personality rights and why do they matter in this case?
Personality rights protect an individual's name, likeness, and life story from unauthorised commercial exploitation. In this case, Salman Khan argues the film uses his identity and real-life controversies for commercial gain without his permission — a claim that, if upheld, could set a significant precedent for how Indian courts treat biographical or 'inspired by' cinema.
