Kala Hiran actor who quit film says he was cast for Salman link, Rajasthan roots

The row surrounding Kala Hiran: The Battle For Legacy has intensified after actor Sonu Mmishra hit back at director Bharat S Shrinate's claim that he neither knew nor had worked with him. In a detailed statement, Mmishra alleged that he was cast because of his Rajasthan roots and his association with Salman Khan, before choosing to walk away after suspecting that the film was attempting to exploit the superstar's name.

The controversy began after Shrinate told News18 that Mmishra was never part of the film, which is inspired by the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

"Is he an actor? I didn't see him on set. He's going around talking about it. I don't know him. People want to fry pakoras in hot oil. The protagonist is Kashif Iqbal Khan," the director had said.

Sonu Mmishra reacts to Kala Hiran director's claims

Responding to the remarks, Mmishra questioned Shrinate's version of events and pointed to what he described as documented proof of his involvement with the project.

"If the director claims that he does not know Sonu Mmishra, then I have a few simple questions: On April 14, why was I invited through a flight booking and token payment? Was I invited as a guest to a wedding, or as an actor for a film project?" he said.

According to Mmishra, the production arranged his travel and hotel stay, following which he reported to the set on April 16 and shot for two days.

"During those two days, I participated in the shoot, faced the camera, and performed my scenes. Was I there as a tourist, or an actor working on the film?" he said.

The actor added that he even shared a behind-the-scenes clip from the shoot on Instagram on April 18, claiming that his close-up shots and actor Govind Namdev can be seen in the video.

Watch the video here:

Sonu Mmishra recalls feud with the makers

Mmishra further alleged that his relationship with the makers deteriorated after he asked for the complete script and a formal agreement.

"The most significant point was that they hadn't even given me the full script or signed an agreement with me. When I started shooting on the first day, I was given only the script for the scenes scheduled to be filmed that day," he said.

He claimed that the makers became uncomfortable when he requested the full screenplay and paperwork.

"These concerns eventually led to creative differences and disputes between me and the director-producers. As a result of those creative disagreements, I decided to step away from the film," he added.

Mmishra also alleged that he has not been paid for the two days he worked on the project.

"Furthermore, when I decided to leave the project, the director himself transferred money from his account for my return flight. Only after receiving that amount was I able to book my flight and return. These are documented facts. Despite fulfilling my professional commitments during those two days, I have not received my dues," he claimed.

Actor alleges makers wanted someone linked to Salman Khan

Explaining why he believes he was cast, Mmishra alleged that the makers wanted someone who could be linked to Salman Khan.

"They cast me as the hero precisely because I am from Rajasthan and had already worked with Salman Khan on Sikandar. However, when I realised they were making a fake film by exploiting Salman Khan's name and the Bishnoi community, I dissociated myself from the project," he said.

"I have always worked as per my principles, ethics and professional standards. Unfortunately, it appears that my values did not align with the intentions behind this project. The moment it became clear that I would not compromise on my ethics, the situation changed," he added.

Rejecting Shrinate's claim that the two did not know each other, Mmishra said the production records would tell a different story.

"Today, claiming not to know me may seem like a convenient statement, but the facts speak for themselves. The records, transactions, travel arrangements, hotel bookings and shooting schedules clearly establish the professional association that existed. What is happening now is simply an attempt to avoid accountability and further questions," he said.

Filmmakers should not engage in propaganda: Sonu Mmishra

He further claimed that more people associated with the film would eventually come forward.

"More people connected to the project are coming forward, and I believe many others will eventually share their experiences as well," he said.

While saying, he respected the director's opinion, Mmishra added that filmmakers should not engage in "propaganda, misinformation, or attempts to damage another person's reputation for personal gain."

"As for the statement that the director does not know me, I completely respect his opinion. Perhaps he still has a long journey ahead in this industry. With more experience, greater professionalism, and a commitment to honesty and integrity, he may one day come to know who Sonu Mmishra is," he said.

Sonu Mmishra on working with Salman Khan

The actor also clarified that despite having worked with Salman Khan earlier, he has not contacted the superstar regarding the controversy. He urged the makers to shelve Kala Hiran, "follow the path of truth", and admit that it was a "fake" film.

He also claimed he was the first to expose the project and alleged that more members of the cast and crew would soon speak out.

Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy is produced by Amit Jani under Jani FireFox Films and directed by Bharat S Shrinate. The film is reportedly based on the blackbuck poaching case linked to Salman Khan during the shooting of Hum Saath – Saath Hain in 1998.

Meanwhile, the controversy intensified after Salman sent a legal notice to producer Amit Jani, who later publicly tore up the notice and alleged that he had received death threats.