The controversy surrounding Kala Hiran, a film reportedly inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case, has intensified after veteran actor Govind Namdev publicly distanced himself from the project. In response to his remarks, producer Amit Jani has issued a legal notice, demanding both an apology and compensation.
Govind Namdev, who previously shared screen space with Salman Khan in Prabhu Deva’s 2009 blockbuster Wanted, recently expressed his disapproval of the film. Speaking to Amar Ujala, the actor said that he was shocked after watching the teaser and felt misled about the nature of the project.
“As soon as I watched the teaser, I was shaken. I immediately realized that the film being promoted is very different from the one I had agreed to work on,” Namdev stated. He further alleged that the makers never informed him about the way the lead character would ultimately be portrayed and claimed he would have declined the role had he known the film’s direction from the beginning.
Reacting strongly to these comments, producer Amit Jani revealed that he has served a legal notice to the veteran actor. The notice reportedly demands a public apology within seven days and seeks ₹50 lakh in damages.
Sharing the development on X (formerly Twitter), Amit wrote, “Legal notice served to Govind Namdev. Demand public apology within 7 days and pay a fine of ₹50 lakh to the production house, otherwise legal action will be taken.”
Although the makers have avoided directly naming Salman Khan, the teaser introduces a character named Ayaan Khan, whose appearance and mannerisms closely resemble the Bollywood superstar.
Produced by Amit Jani under Jani FireFox Films and directed by Bharat S. Shrinate, Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy features Kashif Iqbal Khan in the lead role. The film is reportedly based on the 1998 blackbuck poaching case linked to Salman Khan during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain.
The project has already been mired in controversy. Actor Sonu Mmishra, who appeared in Salman Khan’s Sikandar, recently claimed that he quit Kala Hiran after a few days of shooting. According to him, he was allegedly encouraged to make statements against Salman Khan as part of the film’s promotional strategy. Meanwhile, after Salman reportedly sent a legal notice to Amit Jani, the producer claimed he received death threats and later drew attention by publicly tearing up the notice.