The Delhi High Court has sought actor Salman Khan’s response to a plea filed by the makers of ‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal’, challenging Khan’s separate proceedings seeking to restrain the release of the film.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice on an application filed by film producer Amit Jani, who has argued that Khan’s proceedings amount to parallel litigation since a substantially similar dispute is already pending before the high court, The Hindu reported.

According to the plea, Khan has sought an injunction against the release of ‘Kala Hiran’, which he claims is based on him. Jani has contended that both proceedings concern the same proposed film, its promotional material and allegations relating to Khan’s personality and publicity rights.

The producer’s application states that Khan had earlier filed a suit seeking protection of his personality rights, following which the high court granted an ex parte ad interim injunction on December 11, 2025. Khan later moved an application seeking interim protection specifically in relation to the proposed film, which remains pending.

The filmmakers have argued that the relief sought by Khan in the subsequent proceedings substantially overlaps with the relief claimed in the earlier litigation. This includes requests to restrain the release, exhibition and dissemination of the film, along with its teasers and other promotional material.

The latest development comes after an interim order passed by a coordinate bench on July 27, directing the removal of a teaser for ‘Kala Hiran’ and related social media posts from online platforms following objections raised by Khan.

At the time, the court observed that the filmmakers could not commercially exploit Khan’s name, mannerisms and other distinctive attributes without his authorisation, or disseminate material that could adversely affect his reputation. The court also noted that social media can amplify alleged violations of personality rights because of the speed, reach and permanence of online content.

The makers of ‘Kala Hiran’ have maintained that the film is not a biopic on Salman Khan. They have also argued that personality rights cannot be used to prevent the depiction of public events associated with the blackbuck controversy.

The film has not yet been released. Its makers had earlier told the court that the project had not received certification from the censor board and that its trailer had also not been released.

Khan, on the other hand, has alleged that the filmmakers are deliberately attempting to sensationalise the poaching case and use it to generate publicity at the expense of his goodwill and reputation.

The dispute forms part of Khan’s broader legal action seeking protection of his personality rights. The actor had earlier approached the Delhi High Court seeking restrictions against social media platforms and e-commerce websites over the unauthorised use of his name, images, persona and likeness.

The latest application has now brought the focus on whether the challenge concerning ‘Kala Hiran’ should proceed separately or be dealt with as part of the earlier personality rights proceedings. The court’s notice seeks Khan’s response before the matter proceeds further.