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Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap reignites his fight with Salman Khan, calling him a gunda and accusing the Khan family of being vindictive.
Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap called Salman Khan a gunda.
Abhinav Kashyap, director of Dabangg, is back in the headlines for his bold remarks on Salman Khan. He recently called the actor a “gunda” and accused the Khan family of being “vindictive,” reigniting an old feud that has followed him for years.
Who is Abhinav Kashyap?
Before his name was tied to Salman Khan, Abhinav had already been working in films for over a decade. He began as a writer, contributing to projects like Jung and Yuva, before penning dialogues for Manorama Six Feet Under and 13B. Those early years behind the scenes gave him the foundation to step into direction with confidence.
In 2010, Kashyap made his directorial debut with Dabangg. The film introduced Sonakshi Sinha, revived the masala entertainer, and turned Salman Khan into “Chulbul Pandey,” a character that became a cultural phenomenon. Dabangg was a blockbuster, cementing Abhinav’s place in Bollywood almost overnight.
Exit from Dabangg 2
Despite the massive success, Kashyap famously chose not to direct Dabangg 2. He later claimed that creative interference and pressure from the Khans pushed him out of the sequel. This decision marked the beginning of a long, messy feud that still colours his public image today.
Release of Besharam
In 2013, Abhinav returned with Besharam, starring Ranbir Kapoor. The film was hyped as his big comeback but fell flat at the box office. With critics unimpressed and audiences underwhelmed, his career momentum slowed dramatically.
Since then, Kashyap has stayed in the spotlight more for his outspoken nature than for his films. He has often spoken against the power politics of the industry, directly naming the Khans in several interviews and social media posts.
Abhinav Kashyap’s comments on Salman Khan
In a candid interview with SCREEN, Abhinav did not mince words when describing his experience of working with Salman. “Salman is never involved. He is not even interested in acting, and he hasn’t been since the last 25 years. He does a favour by turning up to work. He is more into the power of being a celebrity, but he is not interested in acting. He is a gunda (goon),” the filmmaker said.
He further alleged that the actor was “ill-mannered” and “vindictive.” Kashyap added, “He (Salman Khan) is the father of the star system in Bollywood. He is from a film family which has been in the industry since 50 years. He continues the process. They are vindictive people. They control the whole process. If you don’t agree with them, they come after you.”
Relationship with Anurag Kashyap
Abhinav Kashyap is the younger brother of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. But the two don’t share a close relationship. Abhinav has publicly said that they’ve been estranged for years and don’t get involved in each other’s professional or personal lives.
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring…Read More
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring… Read More
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September 09, 2025, 09:54 IST
