The poster of ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’, a film by director Bharat S. Shrinate dropped earlier. Salman Khan’s legal team flagged the poster to the Delhi High Court, arguing that the character bore a strong resemblance to the actor and was wearing a bracelet similar to the one widely associated with him.
The bracelet that started it all
The bracelet is not new to public attention. Salman Khan has worn turquoise blue bracelets at public appearances for years. When actor Kashif Iqbal Khan appeared in the film’s teaser as a character named Ayaan Khan wearing a similar piece, viewers made the connection immediately.
Shrinate pushed back. In an interview with News18, he said that nobody owns that accessory. “The bracelet isn’t a patented accessory. If Salman feels that only he can wear it, he should get it patented. That bracelet shouldn’t be made available anywhere else in the world.” He called the backlash overblown and insisted the character was not based on Salman Khan.
Also Read: Explained: Salman Khan’s legal notice, a 28-year-old blackbuck case, and a producer who refuses to back down | The ‘Kala Hiran’ row
Beyond the bracelet, many viewers also pointed to Kashif Iqbal Khan’s overall appearance in the teaser as resembling the Bollywood superstar. Shrinate addressed that too. He drew a comparison with the 2019 biographical film ‘Thackeray’, in which actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the late Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray using prosthetics and heavy make-up. Shrinate said his production used none of that. “Our actor naturally looks like Salman. I can’t change how he looks. I couldn’t have used prosthetics on him to make him look like someone that he’s not.”
What the film is about
‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’ is produced by Amit Jani and directed by Bharat S. Shrinate. The film draws on events linked to the 1998 blackbuck hunting case, which involved Salman Khan.
As the title suggests, the film centres on a poaching incident from 1998, which took place during a film shoot in Rajasthan. Salman Khan was charged under sections of the Arms Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. He has since been cleared in three of those cases, but an appeal against the verdict remains pending in higher courts.
Shrinate has maintained that the film is not a biopic or a direct portrayal of Khan. He said the story is inspired by an incident in Jodhpur and that the actor is not depicted in any direct manner.
Salman Khan goes to court
Salman Khan approached the Delhi High Court seeking interim relief against the makers of ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’, alleging the project unlawfully exploits his personality rights and could adversely affect his reputation as well as ongoing judicial proceedings connected to the 1998 blackbuck hunting case.
Khan’s lawyers filed for an urgent block against the film immediately after the trailer dropped unannounced on the morning of June 12, when it had earlier been expected on June 20.
The matter came up before Justice Neena Bansal Krishna and was listed for further hearing on June 19.
Khan argued that the film amounts to a violation of his personality and publicity rights, which were recognised and protected by the Delhi High Court in an earlier order dated November 11, 2025. According to the application, the film’s posters, character depictions and promotional content seek to capitalise on his fame and identity without authorisation for commercial gain.
The actor sought directions restraining the defendants from releasing, publishing, advertising or disseminating any teaser, trailer, poster or other promotional material relating to the film, as well as an order restraining further development and production until the dispute is finally decided.
The respondents named in the proceedings include producer Amit Jani, Jani FireFox Films, director Bharat Shrinate, Akshay Pandey and other persons allegedly connected with the development and promotion of the film.
The director hits back
Shrinate did not hold back. He said in the same News18 interview that he would not be stopped by the legal pressure. “Salman Khan isn’t god. He isn’t my godfather. He can’t stop me. Neither can he destroy me and my career nor make me and my career.”
He added that while he respected differing opinions about his work, the legal notice left him disappointed given the years he had invested in the project.
Producer Amit Jani also called the legal notice premature, arguing that very little material had actually been released before it was filed.