Delhi HC Seeks Salman Khan’s Response Over Kala Hiran Suit
The Delhi High Court has asked Salman Khan to respond to a producer's plea to stay his lawsuit regarding the film Kala Hiran.
The Delhi High Court has stepped into the legal battle surrounding Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and the proposed film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. On Tuesday, the court directed the actor's legal team to file a response to an application submitted by producer Amit Jani, who is seeking a stay on the proceedings of Khan's existing lawsuit.
The matter was heard by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, as the legal tug-of-war intensifies over how the actor's life and personality rights are portrayed on screen.
The Core of the Dispute
At the heart of this legal confrontation is the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. The project has been closely linked by various parties to the high-profile 1998 blackbuck poaching case involving the superstar. Salman Khan has raised serious objections to the movie and its promotional content, claiming that certain elements could make him easily identifiable and unfairly link the film to specific incidents from his personal life.
Khan's legal team argued that the suit was originally filed to protect his personality rights. They maintained that the actor had already secured a favorable order from the court regarding these rights. According to senior advocate Ravi Prakash, representing Khan, the actor's side is relying on various statements and interviews attributed to the producer to challenge the film's promotional materials and the movie itself.
Producer Seeks Stay on Proceedings
Producer Amit Jani, through his counsel, has moved an application to halt the current legal proceedings. The producer's legal team argued that a similar request for relief had been made in a previous matter currently pending before the High Court. They contended that the present proceedings should be stayed until that earlier case reaches a conclusion, noting that the prayers sought in both instances are identical.
During the hearing, the Court sought clarity on the specific nature of the relief being requested, questioning whether the primary focus of the suit remained the protection of personality rights.
Release Status and OTT Concerns
The court has also been examining the status of the film's release. Key points raised during the proceedings include:
- Certification: The producer's counsel stated that the film is not yet ready for public viewing and must undergo the mandatory certification process before any theatrical release.
- Promotional Material: It was noted that the official trailer for the film has not yet been released to the public.
- OTT Release: Salman Khan's legal team raised concerns regarding the possibility of the film being released directly on OTT platforms, a scenario the Court has taken into consideration.
The Delhi High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing on December 16, following the submission of Khan's reply to the producer's application.