HC to order takedown of links to film ‘Kala Hiran’ teasers on Salman Khan’s plea

The Delhi High Court has agreed to direct the removal of online links to the teaser of the upcoming film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, following a petition filed by actor Salman Khan. The court ordered the takedown of the content within 24 hours, citing concerns over the portrayal of ongoing legal matters involving Khan. The film, which is claimed to be based on Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case, has sparked controversy due to its alleged unauthorized use of Khan's image and likeness. Salman Khan had approached the court seeking a stay on the production, promotion, and eventual release of the film. His legal team argued that the film's teaser and promotional materials violate the court's earlier order issued in December 2023, which protected his personality rights and ensured his right to a fair trial. Khan emphasized that the film's depiction of him appears to rely heavily on his public persona, thereby infringing upon his legal protections. A poster for the film was reportedly released on May 29, despite the court's prior directive regarding the project. During a hearing, Justice Jyoti Singh reviewed the teaser in open court and expressed concern over the content. She stated that the filmmaker, Amit Jani, was engaging in contempt of court by presenting sub judice material, events still under judicial scrutiny. The judge noted that even a brief exposure of such content could harm Khan's reputation significantly. "What kind of contents are these?" she questioned, addressing Jani's legal representative. "You seem to get emboldened by the fact that no order was passed last time. Your client thinks he is above the law. He is getting worse day by day... Every minute it is in the public domain, it is harming the reputation of the plaintiff." Justice Singh further remarked that such actions were unacceptable even for a common individual, highlighting the difficulty of rebuilding one's reputation once it is damaged. She instructed Khan's legal team to compile a comprehensive list of all potentially infringing links so that the court could issue formal take-down directives. Amit Jani's legal counsel defended the film, asserting that the teaser did not name Salman Khan directly and did not employ deepfake or artificial intelligence technologies. The defense argued that the content merely reflected public events and that there was no exclusive prohibition against depicting them. However, the court remained unconvinced, emphasizing the need to protect individuals' legal rights and reputations. The case underscores the growing intersection between celebrity rights, media freedom, and judicial oversight. As the court moves forward with enforcing its order, the legal battle surrounding the film will likely continue to draw attention, both within India's judiciary and among the public. The outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle cases involving the unauthorized use of public figures' likenesses in entertainment projects.