The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from Bollywood actor Salman Khan following a petition filed by the makers of the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. Producer Amit Jani, representing the film, has requested that the court dismiss Mr. Khan's ongoing lawsuit against the movie, citing a lack of territorial jurisdiction.
Justice Tejas Karia issued the notice to the actor, granting him a period of four weeks to submit his response. The legal proceedings have been scheduled for a further hearing on December 16. In his application, Mr. Jani argued that neither the plaintiff nor the defendants reside or conduct business within the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court. He contended that the mere availability of promotional material, such as teasers and posters, in the national capital does not establish a legal basis for the court to hear the case, noting that Mr. Khan is based in Mumbai while the defendants are located in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
The producer further opposed Mr. Khan’s attempt to restrain the film's release, stating that an injunction against a completed work is an extraordinary measure. The makers emphasized that the film has not yet received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). They also clarified that the project is not a biopic of Mr. Khan, arguing that personality rights cannot be invoked to suppress public discourse regarding the blackbuck incident.
This development follows an interim order issued on July 27 by a coordinate bench, which had directed the removal of the film's teaser and related online posts after the actor raised objections. Mr. Khan’s current application for restraint forms part of his broader lawsuit concerning the protection of his personality rights. The makers maintained that the film is still in the post-production stage and has not yet been formally released.
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