Kala Hiran Release Row: Salman Khan's Petition Deferred; Delhi HC Says CBFC Process Still Pending - UPDATE

The Delhi High Court has put Salman Khan’s plea against the release of Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal on hold until July 6, after the film’s makers said it has not yet been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification. The assurance temporarily reduced the urgency around the actor’s request for immediate restraint.

Justice Jyoti Singh deferred the matter after noting that Khan’s rejoinder was not on record. During the hearing, the actor’s senior counsel sought urgent directions, arguing that the film’s release or promotional progress could harm Khan’s reputation and personality rights before the court examined the issue fully.

Why Salman Khan has objected to Kala Hiran

Khan’s application is part of his wider personality rights suit. He has argued that the film’s poster and teaser make an unmistakable reference to him and to the blackbuck poaching case. According to the plea, the promotional material creates a misleading impression by visually linking its central character to the actor.

The actor has objected to details in the poster, including the character allegedly resembling him and wearing a bracelet associated with his public image. The plea also says the character is shown holding a gun, despite Khan having been acquitted in the Arms Act case by a Rajasthan court.

The makers, through their counsel, told the court that the film cannot be released without CBFC certification. They also said the movie would not be sent to the censor board before July 6. That statement became important because certification is a necessary step before theatrical release in India.

Personality rights at the centre of the dispute

The case adds to a growing number of entertainment and public image disputes before Indian courts. Personality rights generally cover unauthorised use of a person’s name, image, likeness, voice or identifiable traits, especially when such use may damage reputation or create commercial gain without consent.

Khan had earlier moved the Delhi High Court against unauthorised use of his name, image and persona on online platforms and commercial websites. The court passed interim protection in his favour on December 11, 2025. His latest plea argues that Kala Hiran may violate those protections.

The dispute also reflects a wider legal shift in celebrity-led cases. Several actors, public figures, sportspersons and media personalities have approached courts seeking protection against misuse of their identity, especially in films, digital content, merchandise, social media posts and AI-driven material.

For now, the immediate question is procedural as much as legal. Since the film has not reached the CBFC, there is no certified release version before the court. The July 6 hearing is expected to decide whether stronger interim restrictions are required while Khan’s wider personality rights suit continues.