New Bollywood film based on Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case has released its first look teaser, triggering a fresh round of legal and public controversy. The project, titled ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’, has drawn sharp reactions from the actor’s legal team even before its theatrical release.
What is Kala Hiran?
‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’ is a crime thriller and courtroom drama produced by Amit Jani under the banner of Jani Firefox Media Private Limited. It draws from the blackbuck hunting case linked to Salman Khan during the filming of ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ in Rajasthan.
The film is directed by Bharat S. Shrinate and stars Mukesh Tiwari in the lead role. Other cast members include Kashif Iqbal Khan, Amit Jani, and Bharat Shrinate himself. The film was shot in various cities of Uttar Pradesh, including Sambhal and Moradabad.
Producer Amit Jani, who had earlier produced the controversial film ‘Udaipur Files’, announced the project on X. Director Bharat S. Shrinate had also helmed ‘Udaipur Files’.
What the teaser shows
The teaser, released on June 12, 2026, presents a courtroom setting where the events of the night of October 2, 1998, form the core of the narrative. A character referred to as Ayan Khan is accused of killing blackbucks in what is framed as the central crime.
The teaser introduces character named Layan Bishnoi, presented as figure more powerful than Mumbai underworld. References are made to Dawood Ibrahim being overshadowed by this character, who is shown operating out of jail while controlling networks in Rajasthan and Punjab.
A police inspector named Sawant is described as a torture specialist. A senior officer named DCP Patil is addressed with harsher language by a character speaking about the futility of law enforcement against Bishnoi’s reach.
A character warns that if the authorities cannot provide protection, he will leave the country. He adds that he will not be killed on the street by the Bishnoi gang. The dialogue references a 25-year-old trigger being pulled. It states that Bishnoi does not want money from Ayan Khan but his life as a sacrifice.
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The teaser also includes a reference to the Bishnoi community’s historical sacrifice of 363 lives, including women and children, to protect trees and animals. A character declares that an innocent life can go in exchange for the life of a mute animal. The teaser ends with a reference to the blood spilled on the soil of Kankani village still demanding justice, and calls the teaser a trailer for what is yet to come.
The film’s teaser was initially scheduled for June 20, 2026, but the release date was moved to June 12, coinciding with the film’s theatrical release.
The background: 1998 blackbuck case
The controversy began when Salman Khan was accused of hunting blackbucks near Jodhpur while filming ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’. Co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam Kothari were also named in the case.
Producer Jani told IANS: “Bollywood actors who had come to Jodhpur, including Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Satish Shah, were together during the shooting. The hunting that took place at that time, Salman Khan’s arrest and the punishment are in the film.”
The blackbuck case remains pending before the Rajasthan High Court. Mumbai police has heightened the actor’s security to Y-plus status in light of ongoing threats from the Bishnoi gang. This makes the film’s release a particularly sensitive matter.
Names changed, but references remain
The film has changed character names but still mentions Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi. The poster and teaser explicitly reference the blackbuck hunting case and the ongoing enmity between the actor and the gangster.
Director Shrinate maintained that he was not explicitly portraying Salman Khan in the film and that audiences were drawing their own conclusions based on similarities. Producer Amit Jani also said that ‘Kala Hiran’ is not based on any biography of Salman Khan.
Salman Khan’s legal action
A legal notice issued by DSK Legal on behalf of Salman Khan to casting director Akshay Pandey has demanded an immediate halt to the development and promotion of the film. Notice dated April 24, 2026 alleges that the project could harm Khan’s reputation. In addition, it could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings, violate his personality rights.
According to the notice, Salman Khan’s legal team became aware that Akshay Pandey was allegedly approaching actors and circulating materials such as the film’s synopsis and character sketches while representing that the story drew inspiration from the blackbuck case. The notice states that Khan has not authorised or consented to any use of his name, persona, or events allegedly connected to him.
The legal notice also seeks removal of all promotional material related to project and unconditional public apology. It warns that failure to comply within 24 hours could result in both civil and criminal legal action.
Khan’s legal team described the film as “defamatory in nature” and a “gross violation of personality rights”. They added that the blackbuck case remains under consideration before the Rajasthan High Court.
Producer hits back
Responding to the notice, producer Amit Jani accused Salman Khan of trying to pressure those associated with the project. “Salman Khan has started threatening people connected with the film Kala Hiran by sending legal notices. The purpose of the notice is only to intimidate people so that they bow before glamour and influence,” Jani said.
Jani also argued that the notice came too early. He maintained that the film is a courtroom drama based on external events and not a biopic of the actor. Director Shrinate separately stated that no one could stop the film from releasing.