Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL: The Delhi High Court has directed the makers of the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy to remove its teaser within 24 hours following a legal challenge filed by Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The court also warned that if the producers fail to comply with the order, social media platforms such as X and YouTube may be asked to take down the promotional material.

During Monday’s hearing, the court strongly criticised producer Amit Jani over the teaser’s online release, observing that the content could harm Salman Khan’s public image. The bench expressed concern over the nature of the material and remarked that continuing to keep such content available in the public domain could cause further damage to the actor’s reputation.

The court further noted that a person’s reputation is built over years and can be affected significantly by public allegations or portrayals. The judge observed that even a brief period of online circulation could have consequences for an individual’s image.

The teaser was also shown during the hearing, after which Justice Jyoti Singh stated that creating a film around an issue that remains under judicial consideration could amount to interference with the court process. The court maintained that matters pending before legal forums should be handled with sensitivity.

The dispute is linked to the long-running controversy surrounding the alleged blackbuck hunting case involving Salman Khan during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan’s Kankani village nearly two decades ago. The actor was convicted in the case in 2018 and had spent two nights in jail before receiving bail. However, the broader legal controversy surrounding the incident remains unresolved.

Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, directed by Bharat Srinath, reportedly explores the controversial chapter associated with the blackbuck case. Even before its release, the film has entered legal trouble after Salman Khan approached the court, alleging that the teaser affected his reputation.

The latest order came during the hearing of the actor’s defamation plea, with the High Court directing the immediate removal of the teaser while the legal proceedings continue.