Our Bureau
Mumbai
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has filed a legal case against the makers of the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, alleging gross violation of his personality rights. The actor’s legal team sent a formal notice, demanding an immediate halt to the film’s development, production, promotion, and release.
The film is inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck hunting case, which is still pending before the Rajasthan High Court. Khan’s lawyers claim the project violates his personality and publicity rights because it uses his name, image, and events linked to him without his consent. The legal notice states that the filmmakers were approaching actors and circulating promotional materials, including the film’s synopsis and character sketches, while benefiting from Khan’s fame.
The notice labels the movie as defamatory and warns that its release could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings in the blackbuck case. It demands that all posters and advertising materials be withdrawn immediately.
Akshay Pandey, the casting director behind the project, has defended the film, stating it is not a Salman Khan biopic. However, Khan’s legal team insists the project directly references him and the blackbuck incident, making it a clear violation of his rights. The actor seeks to stop the film from damaging his reputation and compromising his right to a fair trial.
The case highlights growing debates over personality rights in Bollywood, especially when real-life legal cases are adapted into cinema without the involved party’s permission.
