'Kala Hiran' Film Not Sent For Censor Board Certification Yet: Producer Tells Delhi High Court In Salman Khan's Plea

Producer of the proposed film "Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy", which is stated to be inspired by actor Salman Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case, told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the movie has not been sent for certification by the censor board yet.

The counsel appearing for the producer of the film told Justice Jyoti Singh that a movie cannot be released unless there is a certification from the censor board.

The oral submission was made while the Court was hearing Khan's plea seeking to restrain the release of the movie. Purportedly, the film is based on his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Senior Advocate Ravi Prakash appeared for the actor.

The counsel for the producer submitted that at present, only the teaser is out in the market and that they will be making arguments on Khan's injunction application on Monday.

On Court's query that “the movie is not being released”, the counsel for the producer responded “no, not yet.”

“Can a movie be released before a censor board's certification? They have not even made censor board a party. A movie cannot be released unless there is a certification from censor board. The movie has not even been sent for certification to censor board. All I am saying is we will not send the movie to censor board till Monday,” the counsel said.

As Khan's rejoinder was not on record, the Court deferred the hearing on interim injunction plea to Monday.

It is alleged that the proposed movie unlawfully exploits Khan's personality rights and falsely portrays events associated with him. An application opposing its release has been filed in the actor's suit seeking protection of his personality rights.

The actor contends that promotional material released by the makers contains unmistakable references to him, including the depiction of a lookalike wearing his iconic blue bracelet, which has become uniquely associated with him in the public imagination.

The plea further alleges that one of the posters depicts the lookalike holding a rifle or gun, thereby creating a misleading narrative contrary to judicial records.

As per the actor, such portrayal is particularly objectionable in light of his acquittal in proceedings under the Arms Act and is capable of misleading the public regarding actual events.

Advocates Nizam Pasha, Parag Khandar, Chandrima Mitra, Krishnan Kumar, Tapan Radkar and Zara Dhanboora appeared for the actor.

Case title: Salman Khan v/s John Doe & Others