The release of Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy has run into another legal hurdle, with the film’s producer telling the Delhi High Court that the movie is not ready for release even on an OTT platform as it has not yet received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The submission was made on Thursday by counsel appearing for producer Amit Jani before a bench headed by Justice Jyoti Singh. The court was hearing a petition filed by actor Salman Khan, who has sought a stay on the release of the film.
Salman Khan’s legal team has argued that the film and its promotional material are based on the actor and the criminal proceedings connected to the blackbuck case dating back to October 1998. According to the petition, the film allegedly portrays Salman through his name, likeness, mannerisms, personal characteristics, films and widely reported events associated with him.
The actor’s suit also raises concerns over the portrayal of a dramatised trial while related legal proceedings remain pending. Salman has pointed out that he has been acquitted in three of the four cases arising from the incident, while appeals and special leave petitions remain pending before the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court.
His lawyers argued that the promotional material could create an impression among viewers that he is guilty of offences that remain sub judice. The petition alleged that presenting fictionalised testimony and purported forensic findings to a mass audience could amount to a “trial by media”.
The suit further claimed that the film’s promotional material attributes several serious allegations to Salman that, according to him, he was never accused of. These include allegedly intimidating witnesses, influencing testimony, interfering with medical experts and exerting influence over investigators and the judicial process.
The petition also alleged that the promotional material falsely connected the actor with the underworld and international terrorist organisations. Salman’s legal team argued that such portrayals could seriously damage his reputation and expose him to public hatred, contempt and ridicule.
The actor has therefore sought judicial intervention to prevent the film and related promotional content from being released. The dispute has already led to earlier proceedings concerning promotional links and teasers associated with the film.
However, the producer’s latest submission that the film has not yet received CBFC certification indicates that an immediate OTT release is not currently possible. The certification process will be an important step before any formal release.
The Delhi High Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 30. Until then, the legal dispute surrounding Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy remains unresolved, with both the film’s proposed release and its promotional material under judicial scrutiny.
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