Amit Jani, the producer of the film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy', has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court directive that ordered the removal of the movie's teaser and promotional material from social media platforms. This legal escalation comes amidst an ongoing dispute with Salman Khan over identity rights and portrayal. The filmmakers are seeking an immediate stay on the High Court ruling, asserting that crafting a narrative based on public events falls strictly within the ambit of freedom of expression.
Challenge to the High Court Directive and Defense Arguments
The dispute reached a critical turn on July 27 when the Delhi High Court instructed the filmmakers to take down the teaser and all associated promotional clips from online platforms. Following that verdict, producer Amit Jani announced plans to approach the highest court and has now formally submitted his challenge. In the Supreme Court petition, the makers argue that the High Court restriction infringes upon their fundamental right to freedom of speech. During earlier proceedings in the High Court, legal counsel for the producers contended that the teaser does not explicitly name Salman Khan anywhere. The defense further emphasized that the promotional clip is simply a teaser and does not incorporate any deepfake assets or video generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Personality Rights Infringement and the 1998 Blackbuck Case Context
The root of this litigation lies in a legal motion brought by Salman Khan, who objected to the alleged unauthorized use of his name, likeness, and personal identity in the project. Khan maintains that the storyline is built around events linked to his 1998 Blackbuck case and argues that his representation in the film could create misleading impressions among the public. He has categorized this unauthorized depiction as a clear violation of his personality rights.
Escalation Following the June 2026 Court Notice
The legal process commenced earlier when the Delhi High Court issued a formal notice to the filmmakers in June 2026 regarding Khan's plea. Tensions escalated significantly following the public release of the movie's teaser. Khan's petition highlighted that the facial appearance depicted in the promotional footage bears a striking resemblance to him, potentially misleading viewers. While these concerns prompted the High Court to mandate the removal of the promotional content, the filmmakers are now appealing to the Supreme Court for relief.
