Filmmaker Appeals Supreme Court Ruling on 'Kala Hiran' Teaser Removal

Supreme Court Challenge by Filmmaker Amit Jani

Filmmaker Amit Jani has taken his case to the Supreme Court, contesting a July 27 ruling from the Delhi High Court that mandated the removal of promotional content for 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy'. This decision followed a complaint from Salman Khan, who claimed his personality rights were infringed upon.

Jani expressed disagreement with the High Court's ruling and has submitted a Special Leave Petition (SLP) to restore the teaser and related interviews. He clarified that neither Salman Khan nor gangster Lawrence Bishnoi appears in the film or its promotional materials.

According to Jani, the Delhi High Court's order to remove the teaser stemmed from Khan's petition. He stated, "We do not concur with this ruling and have approached the Supreme Court to reinstate the teaser and all interviews... We have never implied in any interview that Salman Khan is linked to the underworld," he remarked during a discussion with a Media House.

He emphasized that while they complied with the High Court's directive, they are challenging its validity in the Supreme Court.

Jani pointed out that the ruling did not prohibit the film itself, only the teaser, which he believes is unjustified. He reiterated that 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy' remains unbanned.

The film reportedly references public events related to Salman Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching incident. Khan's prior allegations claimed that the teaser depicted him through a fictional character named 'Ayan Khan' and included references to his films 'Dabangg' and 'Sikandar', alongside details pertinent to the poaching case.

The High Court's temporary order followed the teaser's release on July 17, 2026, which was disseminated through various channels, including press releases, promotional videos, social media, YouTube, and podcasts.

The court determined that the material could potentially damage Khan's reputation due to the fictional character references and film clips, yet it did not impose a ban on the film itself.

Jani's appeal argues that the High Court's decision to restrict the teaser lacked clarity regarding how Khan's persona was allegedly misappropriated or commercially exploited.

The petition further argues that upholding Khan's claims could transform personality rights into a tool for limiting artistic, journalistic, and historical expressions related to public matters.

Jani also raised concerns about threats directed at the filmmakers, stating that this issue has been presented to the Supreme Court and relevant authorities.

"We are facing threats, and if we cannot even express that we are threatened, it would signify a complete erosion of democracy. We have conveyed this to the Supreme Court..." he stated.

Expanding on the threats, Jani mentioned, "We are not claiming Salman Khan is their ally. They themselves assert that Salman is their friend. They threaten us, saying if you proceed with the film about Salman Khan, we will kill you. We will throw grenades." He noted that these threats have been reported to law enforcement and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), asserting their right to publicly defend their position.

Jani further questioned the rationale behind what he termed 'judicial censorship', emphasizing that films must receive certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

"The law stipulates that when a film is produced, it is granted a censor certificate by the CBFC. There is no provision for judicial censorship. I am unsure why there is an order to remove the teaser. We are contesting that order," he explained.

The filmmaker criticized the portrayal that the entire film had been halted, reiterating that the High Court's order was confined to the teaser and interviews.

Khan's petition to the High Court alleged that the teaser exploited his personality for commercial gain without his consent. It characterized the film as a courtroom drama that fictionalizes the trial of a superstar accused of killing a blackbuck, including witness examinations, forensic findings, and threats to witnesses.

Jani FireFox Films is behind the production of 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy.'