The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of the teaser of Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, a film alleged to be linked to Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case. The court said the material could continue to affect the actor’s reputation if it remained available online.
Justice Jyoti Singh heard the matter on Monday and said an order would be passed for the teaser to be removed from social media within 24 hours. The court also indicated that if the producer did not take it down, platforms including X and YouTube would be directed to remove the links.
Case filed over personality rights
The issue came before the court through an application moved by Salman Khan. The actor had earlier obtained directions protecting his personality rights and later approached the court again seeking a ban on Kala Hiran.
Khan’s plea claimed that the film is based on the blackbuck poaching case, which remains the subject of legal proceedings. According to the actor, the teaser and related material portray him in a defamatory manner and suggest links with the underworld.
His legal team argued that such a portrayal infringes his personality rights and could also affect his right to a fair trial. The plea said proceedings connected with the alleged blackbuck hunting case are still pending before the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court.
Objection to poster and teaser
The petition also referred to the film’s poster. Khan claimed that it shows a character closely resembling him, including a bracelet associated with the actor. His lawyers argued that the overall presentation made it clear that the project referred to him, even if his name was not used.
The plea cited media reports and statements attributed to producer Amit Jani to support the argument that the film was connected to the sub judice case. It also said Khan had sent a legal notice to the filmmakers, after which Jani allegedly tore it up during an interview.
According to the petition, Jani later claimed on social media that he was being threatened by the actor and the underworld. During the hearing, the court took note of the producer’s conduct and expressed concern that the teaser continued to remain online.
Court stresses protection of reputation
Justice Singh observed during the hearing that a person’s reputation takes years to build and can be damaged quickly. The court said that every moment the teaser remained on the internet, it could continue to harm Khan’s reputation.
The judge also remarked that such treatment would not be acceptable even for an ordinary citizen. The court’s observations focused on the need to protect an individual’s reputation, especially when legal proceedings connected to the subject are still pending.
After briefly watching the teaser in court, Justice Singh observed that portraying matters currently under judicial consideration could amount to contempt. The court reiterated that pending legal issues should not be presented in a way that may prejudice a person’s rights.
Producer’s side denies direct reference
Appearing for the producer, counsel argued that the teaser does not name Salman Khan. It was also submitted that the teaser does not use artificial intelligence or deepfake technology.
The producer’s side said the teaser only depicts public events and that there is no exclusive legal protection that prevents such portrayals. The argument was that the material did not directly identify Khan and should not be treated as a violation of his rights.
Khan’s lawyers opposed that position. They argued that the teaser clearly pointed to the actor despite not naming him. His counsel also told the court that Khan had been acquitted in three of the four criminal cases against him, while the sentence in the remaining matter had been suspended.
Platforms and online responsibility discussed
The court also considered the role of digital platforms in such matters. Lawyers representing Meta and Google argued that online intermediaries could not be placed under pre-publication injunctions.
Justice Singh, however, observed that platform owners also carry responsibilities once objectionable material is brought to their attention. The court said that if the producer did not remove the teaser, the relevant online platforms would be asked to take down the links.
The direction means the teaser of Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy is to be removed from social media as the court examines Khan’s claims on reputation, personality rights and the possible impact on pending proceedings.
Source: Bollywood Hungama.