The maker of proposed film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy”, stated to be inspired by actor Salman Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case, told the Delhi High Court on Thursday (September 10) that the film is not presently in a releasable state as its contents are yet to be certified by the Censor Board.

The statement was made during the hearing of Khan's suit seeking restraint on the release of the film.

After hearing the matter for some time, Justice Jyoti Singh in her order dictated:

"Counsel appears for Defendant no. 1 and on instructions states that the impugned movie at this stage is not in a releasable state as its content is yet to be certified by Censor board. Statement is taken on record. Reply be filed in two weeks, rejoinder before the next date. List on September 30".

At this stage the counsel for the actor said that for releasing the film on OTT, the makers do not need any certification. The court thus recorded the same.

At the outset the court orally noted that there was no averment in the plaint as to when was the movie likely to be released. Meanwhile senior advocate Ravi Prakash appearing for Khan said, "They (maker) themselves are saying that it is going to be released in September...Suppose the movie releases it will cause immense harm to me".

The Court then asked counsel appearing for Defendant No. 1, Amit Jani, about the proposed release date of the film.

“For that I will have to take instructions,” his counsel responded adding that he had objections to the suit as well as the jurisdiction.

When the court asked again as to when will the movie be released, the counsel said, "Currently I don't have instructions when will the movie be released". At this stage the court orally said that it will record the counsel's presence and ask him to return with instructions on Monday and till then they will not release the movie.

To this the counsel said that as of now the movie is not in a releasable form. At this stage the court orally said then it will record the maker's statement.

The actor had previously filed a plea seeking to restrain the release of the film, in a pending personality rights suit against various unknown entities (John Doe). In July the high court had directed take down of various links concerning teaser of the film.

Last year the high court had while hearing the actor's personality rights suit, barred the unauthorized merchandise using the actor's image and likeness.

Senior advocate Ravi Prakash, advocates Nizam Pasha, Parag Khandhar, Chandrima Mitra, Tapan Radkar, Krishan Kumar, Zara Dhanboora and Astu Khandelwal appeared for the actor.

The court issued notice on the application for interim relief and listed the matter on September 30.

Case title: Salman Khan v/s Amit Jani and Others

CS(COMM)- 986/2026