Veteran actor Govind Namdev has publicly distanced himself from the controversial film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, claiming that he was misled by the filmmakers and was never informed that the project would feature a character resembling Bollywood star Salman Khan. His remarks come as the film faces mounting legal and public scrutiny over allegations that it draws heavily from the actor’s life and the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
The controversy surrounding Kala Hiran intensified after the release of its teaser, which features a character whose appearance, styling and accessories bear a striking resemblance to Salman Khan. The character is seen wearing a bracelet similar to the one closely associated with the actor, prompting allegations that the film is attempting to portray him without consent.
Reacting to the teaser, Govind Namdev said he was shocked by what he saw and insisted that the film being promoted today was entirely different from the project he had originally agreed to join. According to the actor, he was told a very different story when he signed on and had no knowledge that a Salman Khan-inspired character would be central to the narrative.
Namdev revealed that the film was initially presented to him under a different title and premise. He said he was informed that the project would largely focus on courtroom proceedings and legal aspects of a case. Based on those discussions, he agreed to participate and filmed only courtroom sequences. The actor now claims that the final product appears vastly different from what was originally described to him.
Expressing his disappointment, Namdev stated that he felt “used” after watching the teaser. He maintained that had he known the film would be presented in its current form, he would have reconsidered his involvement. The actor stressed that he had never intended to be part of a project that could be perceived as targeting Salman Khan.
The Delhi High Court has since issued notices to the filmmakers and scheduled a hearing on the matter. The legal challenge centres on whether the film unlawfully exploits Khan’s likeness and public persona without authorisation.
The makers of Kala Hiran have maintained that the film is inspired by events linked to the blackbuck poaching controversy and the Bishnoi community’s long-standing campaign for wildlife protection. However, the teaser’s portrayal of the lead character has led many viewers to draw direct comparisons with Salman Khan.
Producer Amit Jani and director Bharat S. Shrinate have also found themselves under pressure as the controversy escalates. Earlier, Salman Khan’s legal team reportedly sent notices to the filmmakers demanding that the project be halted. The dispute has since grown into one of the most talked-about legal battles in the entertainment industry this month.
As legal proceedings continue, the future of Kala Hiran remains uncertain. With Salman Khan seeking judicial intervention and one of the film’s senior actors alleging that he was misled, the controversy shows little sign of subsiding. For now, Namdev’s statement has added further pressure on the makers, while intensifying debate over creative freedom, personality rights and transparency in filmmaking.