The case revolves around Salman Khan’s allegations that the makers of the film have unlawfully used elements associated with his public identity and personality without authorization. The actor has approached the court seeking a stay on the film’s release, claiming that its promotional material and storyline could harm his reputation.

During the hearing before Justice Jyoti Singh, the court was informed that the film has not yet been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for certification. Counsel representing the producers clarified that the project is not currently ready for release and assured the court that it would not be sent to the censor board before the next date of hearing.

With the producer’s submission yet to be formally recorded and the certification process still pending, the court chose to defer the matter rather than issue any immediate restrictions on the film.

The development was followed by a public response from producer Amit Jani, who took to social media shortly after the hearing. In his post, Jani said Salman Khan had not obtained any relief from the court and emphasized that no ban had been imposed on the film. He also stated that the matter would now be heard again on July 6.

The producer further remarked that courts function independently of celebrity influence and suggested that stardom would not determine the outcome of the case. He claimed that the film is planned for a large-scale global release and could eventually be screened across thousands of theatres worldwide.

Salman Khan’s petition alleges that the makers have incorporated references that closely resemble his public image. According to the plea, promotional content associated with Kala Hiran features a character bearing similarities to the actor, including a blue bracelet that has long been considered one of Salman’s signature style elements.

The actor has argued that such portrayals amount to a violation of his personality rights and could mislead audiences into associating him with the project. Personality rights generally protect an individual’s name, image, likeness and other identifiable characteristics from unauthorized commercial use.

Another major concern raised in the petition relates to the film’s reported depiction of the 1998 blackbuck hunting case, one of the most closely followed legal matters associated with Salman Khan over the years. The actor has contended that the film allegedly presents certain events inaccurately and could create a misleading narrative around the controversy.

The petition also objects to the reported inclusion of references linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and the widely discussed dispute that has drawn significant media attention in recent years. Salman Khan’s legal team has argued that any fictionalized or inaccurate representation of these issues could adversely affect his public image.

The court’s decision to postpone the hearing means the legal battle remains unresolved for now. However, the producer’s undertaking that the film will not be submitted for certification before the next hearing provides a temporary pause in the release process.

The outcome of the July 6 hearing is expected to be significant, as it could determine whether the film proceeds through the certification process or faces further legal scrutiny over the claims raised by the actor.

AIMIM president and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi has launched a sharp attack on Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar 2, dismissing the Ranveer Singh-starrer as “three hours of nonsense” and accusing it of promoting violence. Speaking at a news summit on Friday, Owaisi questioned the film’s content and its portrayal of community identities.

When asked about the Dhurandhar franchise, Owaisi responded in a mix of Hindi and Urdu, saying, “Picture hai vo? Teen ghante bakwaas (Is that even a film? It’s three hours of nonsense).” He added that he does not have time to watch a three-hour film and questioned what the movie offered beyond expletives and violence.

Owaisi Questions Film’s Intent

The parliamentarian went on to allege that the film left viewers with a troubling question. “What is even there in the film other than cuss words, promoting violence, and after three hours, it makes you wonder if you must cuss at Muslims or not,” Owaisi said. His remarks came days after the film’s release on March 19, as it continues to dominate the box office.

When the host noted that the “world is watching” Dhurandhar 2 and responding positively, Owaisi brushed aside the observation with a Hyderabadi idiom. “Hum Hyderabad mai bolte hai ki, pyaare, in cheezon ko dil pe mat lo, murde pe lo. To hum murde pe leke chorr dete hai usko (We have a saying in Hyderabad. Dear, do not take it to heart, take it to the grave. So, we take it to the grave and let it go),” he said.

Film’s Plot and Political Backdrop

The Dhurandhar franchise follows Indian spy Jaskirat Singh Rangi, alias Hamza Ali Mazari, played by Ranveer Singh. The character is sent to Lyari, Pakistan, by IB director Ajay Sanyal (R Madhavan) to infiltrate a Baloch gang and dismantle a terror outfit. The films draw from real-life geopolitical events and have been noted for their layered portrayal of intelligence operations.

The sequel, which sees the return of actors Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Rakesh Bedi among others, has been released in multiple South Indian languages alongside Hindi. The expanded release strategy has contributed to its strong box office performance.

Box Office Success Continues

Despite the criticism, Dhurandhar 2 has maintained a record-breaking run. According to trade figures, the film has collected over ₹715 crore in India and surpassed ₹1128 crore worldwide since its release. The first instalment, released in December 2025, had collected ₹840 crore domestically and over ₹1300 crore globally.

The sequel is now on track to outperform the original, making it the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026 so far. The production is backed by Jyoti Deshpande and Aditya and Lokesh Dhar under Jio Studios and B62 Studios.

Political Reactions and Public Discourse

Owaisi’s remarks add a political dimension to the film’s ongoing box office success. While the filmmaker and lead cast have not responded to the criticism, the controversy has sparked debate on social media, with supporters and detractors of the film weighing in on its portrayal of community dynamics.

Industry observers note that political reactions to mainstream films are not uncommon, particularly when storylines intersect with real-world geopolitical themes. The Dhurandhar franchise, with its focus on cross-border intelligence operations, has drawn both acclaim for its craft and scrutiny for its political undertones.

What’s Next

With the film still in theatres and its box office momentum showing no signs of slowing, the makers are yet to announce any official response to the criticism. Meanwhile, trade analysts expect Dhurandhar 2 to continue its record run through the coming weeks, with potential expansion into additional international markets.