New Delhi, 19 June (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to grant immediate relief to actor Salman Khan on his plea seeking a stay on the release of the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. A Bench of Justice Madhu Jain directed Salman Khan to furnish a copy of the petition to the film's producer. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 1.

During the hearing, Salman Khan's counsel, Nizam Pasha, submitted that the film has been made on the actor's life without his consent. He informed the Court that the film's trailer and poster have already been released, although the release date of the film has not yet been announced.

Appearing for the filmmakers, counsel submitted that they had not yet been served with the complete copy of the petition and, therefore, no interim order should be passed at this stage. Accepting the submission, the Court refrained from granting any interim relief and directed Salman Khan to provide the complete copy of the petition to the producer.

In his plea, Salman Khan contended that the film is based on the 1998 blackbuck poaching case involving him and that its release would violate his personality rights. The petition further alleged that the filmmakers have used a lookalike actor portraying him and have also depicted the character wearing a bracelet identical to the one Salman Khan is known for. It also claimed that the filmmakers have been misusing Salman Khan's name while promoting the film.

The petition further argued that the film's release could potentially influence the pending legal proceedings relating to the blackbuck poaching case and adversely affect the actor's public image.

According to the petition, Salman Khan had earlier served a legal notice on the film's producer demanding that the promotion and release of the film be halted. The notice stated that the blackbuck poaching case remains pending before the Rajasthan High Court, and any attempt to sensationalise the matter at this stage could prejudice the ongoing judicial proceedings.

The first poster of Kala Hiran has already been unveiled. The film portrays the events surrounding the blackbuck poaching case and dramatises courtroom proceedings connected to the matter. It also depicts the long-standing animosity between Salman Khan and gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. To avoid legal controversies, the filmmakers have renamed the character inspired by Salman Khan as Ayaan Khan and the character based on Lawrence Bishnoi as Lion Bishnoi. The film has been directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar