Kala Hiran Row Escalates: Producer Demands Apology and ₹50 Lakh From Govind Namdev

The controversy surrounding Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy has intensified, with producer Amit Jani issuing a legal notice to veteran actor Govind Namdev after the actor publicly distanced himself from the film and questioned its portrayal of a character resembling Salman Khan.

Jani announced on X that Namdev had been served a legal notice demanding a public apology within seven days and compensation of ₹50 lakh to the production house. He warned that legal action would follow if the actor failed to comply.

The dispute comes as Salman Khan pursues legal action against the makers of Kala Hiran, alleging that the film unlawfully exploits his personality rights and presents a misleading portrayal linked to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Govind Namdev Says He Was Misled About the Film

Namdev, who appears in the film, said he was shocked after watching its teaser and claimed the final project differed significantly from what had been presented to him during production.

Speaking to Amar Ujala, the actor said, “As soon as I watched the trailer, I was shaken to the core. I instantly understood that the project is completely different from what I had shot for.”

According to Namdev, the film was initially introduced to him under a different title and later described as a courtroom drama based on publicly known legal proceedings. He maintained that he was never informed that a character closely resembling Salman Khan would be portrayed in the manner shown in the teaser.

“We were never told that a character resembling Salman Khan would be created and portrayed in this manner. The moment I saw the trailer, I felt I had been kept in the dark and used, ” he said.

Namdev also made his position clear regarding the Bollywood star, stating, “I would never do a film against Salman Khan.”

Salman Khan Moves Delhi High Court

The legal battle surrounding the film began after the makers unveiled promotional material featuring a character that viewers widely associated with Salman Khan. The character appears in attire and accessories that Khan’s legal team argues are unmistakably linked to the actor.

In his plea before the Delhi High Court, Khan argued that the film violates a court order protecting his personality rights and is built on a false and misleading narrative. His legal team pointed to the character’s appearance, including a bracelet closely associated with the actor, and the film’s connection to the same blackbuck poaching case.

The producers included a disclaimer stating that all characters and events are fictional and that any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. The disclaimer also notes that the film draws inspiration from the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident while fictionalising several elements for entertainment purposes.

Khan’s lawyers contend that the disclaimer does not negate the clear references contained in the film’s promotional material.

A vacation bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notices to the filmmakers and scheduled the matter for hearing on June 19.

Sonu Mmishra Also Distances Himself From the Project

The controversy widened after actor Sonu Mmishra, who was initially cast in a role resembling Salman Khan, said he left the project after two days of shooting.

Mmishra claimed that he became uncomfortable with the direction of the film and alleged that a contract shown to him contained provisions requiring him to speak negatively about Salman Khan in public.

“After a lot of delay, they showed me the contract, which stated that I had to speak against Salman to the media as well. These things are against my ethics, ” he told the YouTube channel Bollywood Crazies.

The actor said he had been excited about the opportunity to play a character based on the superstar but chose to leave after understanding what he described as the film’s intent.

“I was very excited for Kala Hiran. I got the opportunity to play superstar Salman Khan. I had started shooting as well. But when a narrative starts getting built, you realize the intent of the film, ” Mmishra said.

He also alleged that the makers later objected to his posting behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot and claimed he had received legal threats after speaking publicly about his departure.

Film Faces Multiple Challenges Before Release

Produced by Amit Jani under Jani FireFox Films and directed by Bharat S Shrinate, Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy has not announced a release date.

The film’s teaser, featuring actor Kashif Iqbal Khan in the lead role, has attracted scrutiny due to its apparent parallels with Salman Khan’s long-running legal battle over the alleged hunting of blackbucks during the filming of Hum Saath-Saath Hain in Rajasthan in 1998.

With Salman Khan’s case pending before the Delhi High Court and two actors associated with the project publicly questioning its direction, the film continues to face growing legal and industry attention.