The legal battle surrounding Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal has taken another turn, with the filmmakers informing the Delhi High Court that the controversial Hindi film is still far from release. Responding to Salman Khan’s plea seeking an immediate stay, the producers clarified that the movie has neither received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) nor has it even been submitted for review. The statement came during the latest court proceedings, where both sides presented their arguments over the film’s future. For now, the makers have assured the court that there is no immediate possibility of the movie reaching theatres.
Producers Say Film Has Not Been Submitted for Certification
During Wednesday’s hearing, Salman Khan’s legal team argued that urgent directions were necessary to prevent the film from being released while the case is pending. In response, counsel representing the producers maintained that such concerns were premature because the certification process has not even begun.
Addressing the court, the producer’s lawyer said, “Can a movie be released before the censor board’s certification? A movie cannot be released unless there is certification by the censor board. The movie has not even been sent to the censor board. We will not send the movie to the censor board till Monday.” According to the submission, the makers have decided not to approach the CBFC before Monday, July 6, making an immediate theatrical release impossible at this stage.
The clarification became an important part of the hearing as it directly responded to the urgency raised by Salman Khan’s side. Since certification from the CBFC is mandatory before any film can be publicly exhibited in India, the producers argued there was no immediate threat of release while the legal proceedings continue. The matter is expected to move forward once the court considers the submissions made by both parties.
Why Salman Khan Has Approached the Delhi High Court
The dispute began after the first-look poster and trailer of Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal were unveiled in June. Salman Khan subsequently approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that the film appeared to draw direct inspiration from the long-running blackbuck poaching case associated with him. According to the actor, the promotional material violates an earlier court order protecting his personality rights and creates a misleading impression about him.
In his application, Salman stated that the film’s poster, released on May 29, contains what he described as a “blatant and obvious reference” to him. His plea points out that although he was acquitted of offences under the Arms Act in the Rajasthan case, the character shown in the poster is carrying a firearm, which he argues creates a false and defamatory narrative.
The application further states, “The character depicted has an uncanny resemblance to the plaintiff and is clearly seen wearing a bracelet, which is immediately and promptly identifiable with the plaintiff and no one else. The poster and the proposed film are therefore clearly spreading a false narrative, misleading and appear to be completely contrary to the actual state of affairs and contrary to records.”
Salman Khan has also alleged that the filmmakers intentionally attempted to sensationalise the blackbuck case to attract public attention at the expense of his reputation and goodwill. According to the plea, the promotional campaign unfairly links him to events that do not accurately reflect the legal record. The actor has sought judicial intervention to prevent what he considers a violation of his legally protected personality rights.
Film Faces Growing Controversy
The controversy surrounding Kala Hiran has expanded beyond the courtroom. Veteran actor Govind Namdev, who is associated with the project, has publicly distanced himself from the film’s promotion, stating that he was unaware of how it would eventually be marketed. Another actor from the project has reportedly taken a similar position, adding to the growing attention surrounding the case.
This legal battle also follows Salman Khan’s earlier victory in the Delhi High Court regarding his personality rights. In that matter, the actor had sought protection against the unauthorized use of his name, image, likeness, and persona across social media platforms and e-commerce websites. The High Court granted him interim relief through an order passed on December 11 last year.
With the film yet to be submitted to the CBFC and the court proceedings continuing, Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal remains caught in legal uncertainty. Whether the movie eventually secures certification and moves toward release may now depend not only on the censor process but also on how the Delhi High Court rules on Salman Khan’s challenge in the coming hearings.
