The Delhi High Court has directed the makers of the upcoming film ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal’ to remove its teaser and all related promotional content from online platforms after Salman Khan raised objections over the alleged unauthorised use of his personality and public image.In an interim order passed on July 27, Justice Jyoti Singh observed that the actor had made a prima facie case and held that the filmmakers could not commercially use his identity, mannerisms or other recognisable traits without his consent.
Court finds prima facie violation of personality rights
According to PTI, while hearing Khan’s application, the court noted that the teaser appeared to draw heavily from incidents linked to the actor’s pending blackbuck poaching case appeal. It further observed that the promotional material suggested witness intimidation and interference with the investigation, which could seriously damage the actor’s reputation.The order stated: “In my view, prima facie, the cumulative narrative from the impugned teaser and the posts is that proposed defendants have launched a promotional campaign/strategy to commercially exploit plaintiff’s personality rights and public persona, without his consent or authorisation, to generate commercial interest in the film and attract viewers and are thus infringing Plaintiff’s personality and publicity rights.”The court added that the rapid reach and permanence of digital platforms make the dissemination of such content even more harmful when it infringes personality rights or affects an individual’s reputation.
Teaser and promotional posts must be removed
Justice Singh restrained the filmmakers from uploading, hosting, sharing or promoting the teaser or any associated content across social media platforms, OTT services, television or print media. Existing posts have been ordered to be removed within 24 hours. The court also directed X, Meta and Google to take down the specified URLs if the uploaders fail to comply within the prescribed time. Reiterating the legal protection available to individuals, the order stated:“Right to personality has been recognised by Courts as an intrinsic facet of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, encompassing right to privacy, dignity and reputation.”It further observed: “Plaintiff has the right to determine the manner in which his persona is commercially exploited and proposed defendants cannot exploit plaintiff’s name, mannerisms and other distinctive attributes for commercial gains, without authority and/or publish and disseminate content which injures the reputation of the plaintiff in public.”
Salman Khan’s objections before the court
Representing the actor, Salman Khan’s legal team argued that the teaser portrayed a fictional superstar facing trial for the alleged killing of a blackbuck and intentionally used a name resembling the actor’s. They also pointed out references describing the character as “this Dabangg”, besides claiming that the promotional campaign associated Khan with the underworld and international terror organisations while hinting at a conspiracy to stop the film’s release.Salman Khan has also sought a stay on the release of the film as part of his legal proceedings.The actor maintained that while he was acquitted in the Arms Act case, the poster depicts the central character holding a gun, which he described as defamatory. His petition further alleged that the character bears a striking resemblance to him, including the signature bracelet and ear studs closely associated with his public image.According to the plea, the promotional material presents a misleading narrative that is contrary to court records and appears designed to sensationalise the blackbuck case for commercial benefit.
Filmmakers deny allegations
Filmmaker Amit Jani, in his response before the High Court, argued that Salman Khan cannot claim exclusive rights over criminal proceedings, judicial records or historical events merely because they involve him.The makers also contended that ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal’ is not a biopic of the actor and denied violating his personality rights. They asserted that there was no false endorsement, commercial impersonation or unlawful exploitation of his identity and maintained that personality rights cannot be invoked to erase public events connected with the blackbuck controversy.In response, Salman Khan clarified that he was not attempting to monopolise any public event or legal proceedings. Instead, he argued that the filmmakers had commercially exploited his identity and uniquely recognisable characteristics without authorisation to attract audiences.It is worth noting that Salman Khan had previously secured an interim order from the Delhi High Court in December 2025 restraining the unauthorised commercial use of his name, likeness and persona across social media and e-commerce platforms.
