27 July,2026 02:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Salman Khan and a still from Kala Hiran promo (Pictures via X)
The Delhi High Court has pulled up the makers of the upcoming film Kala Hiran over its alleged portrayal of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and directed them to immediately remove promotional content from social media until further orders.
The matter came before the court after Salman Khan objected to the film's teaser and promotional material, claiming they used a character that closely resembled him and could mislead audiences. The actor argued that the depiction infringed upon his personality rights and had the potential to damage his reputation. Following the hearing, the court issued interim directions asking the producers to take down all related promotional content from online platforms.
During the proceedings, the Delhi High Court questioned the filmmakers over the need to include a character that allegedly mirrored Salman Khan so closely. The court reportedly expressed concern over the use of a celebrity's identity without proper authorisation and sought an explanation from the production team regarding the creative choices behind the film.
The counsel told Amit Jani, "Your audacity seems to have increased because no order was passed the last time." He further mentioned, "You seem to think you are above the law. Things are only getting worse day by day. You cannot do this even to an ordinary citizen."
The producers, however, maintained that Kala Hiran is a fictional work and denied any intention of portraying Salman Khan. They argued that the film does not directly refer to the actor and that any perceived similarities were coincidental. Despite their defence, the court decided that the promotional material should be removed until the matter is examined further.
As part of its interim order, the High Court instructed the filmmakers to delete or disable access to the teaser, trailers and other promotional posts featuring the disputed content across social media platforms. The court also issued notices to the concerned parties and scheduled the matter for further hearing.
The legal dispute has reignited conversations around personality rights and the unauthorised depiction of celebrities in films and digital content. Indian courts have increasingly recognised that public figures have the right to protect their name, likeness and identity from commercial exploitation without consent.
Neither Salman Khan nor the makers of Kala Hiran have issued detailed public statements following the court's latest observations. The case is expected to continue before the Delhi High Court, where the producers will have an opportunity to present their arguments in greater detail.
Until a final decision is reached, the filmmakers will have to comply with the court's directions and keep the promotional material off social media. The outcome of the case could have wider implications for filmmakers using celebrity-inspired characters in fictional stories and promotional campaigns.
