Noida, July 1: The Delhi High Court is set to hear a petition filed by actor Salman Khan, seeking to halt the promotion and release of the film ‘Kaala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’. Ahead of the hearing, the film’s producer, Amit Jani, has raised serious allegations against Khan and presented legal and factual arguments in his defense.
In an interview with a news agency, Jani claimed that during a previous hearing, Khan’s lawyer requested an interim stay on the film, but the court opted to hear the other party first. He stated that he did not receive a copy of the petition in a timely manner, as it was only emailed to him two days prior to the hearing, leaving him insufficient time to prepare.
Jani further alleged that he received a phone call from a person named Shehzad Bhatti, using the same WhatsApp number from which the petition was sent. He claims Bhatti resides in Pakistan and pressured him to negotiate and arrange a meeting with Khan.
According to Jani, he was also offered compensation for his investment in the film, and upon refusal, he received threats of bomb or drone attacks against him and his family. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
Responding to Khan’s petition, Jani expressed confidence that the court would base its decision solely on law and facts, emphasizing that an individual’s stardom or popularity should not influence judicial outcomes. He noted that the court has previously ruled on high-profile cases based purely on legal facts.
Jani dismissed accusations of exploiting Khan’s name for commercial gain, asserting that the film’s central theme revolves around the Bishnoi community’s two-decade struggle, wildlife conservation, dedication to nature, and the community’s faith regarding blackbucks. He clarified that Khan is not the protagonist of their film, which aims to present a social and historical issue rather than capitalize on an actor’s fame.
On the issue of personality rights, Jani explained that the actor portraying the character Ayan Khan, Kashif Iqbal Khan, does not utilize any prosthetics, special makeup, or techniques to resemble Salman Khan. He argued that any perceived similarity is purely coincidental and does not constitute a violation of personality rights.
Jani also stated that the authority to review and certify film content lies with the Central Board of Film Certification. He argued that if courts begin to review a film’s content before its release, it would amount to “judicial censorship,” potentially impacting film production and freedom of expression.
Despite receiving threatening calls from individuals named Shehzad Bhatti, Rohit Godara, and D-Company, Jani confirmed that his team is preparing to release the film on 7,000 to 8,000 screens worldwide as planned.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.