Updated on: Oct 14, 2025 | 05:21 PM IST
The long-standing tension between filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has resurfaced once again, making headlines in the entertainment world. Known for his candid and often confrontational statements, Abhinav Kashyap did not hold back after Salman Khan addressed comments related to him during Bigg Boss 19’s Weekend Ka Vaar. The filmmaker’s response, laced with pointed criticism and intense personal reflections, has sparked widespread discussion about their history and the grievances Abhinav continues to harbor.
Abhinav Kashyap’s Response to Salman Khan
In an interview with Bollywood Thikana, Abhinav Kashyap addressed Salman Khan directly, and his response reflected both personal frustration and professional resentment. The promo clip of the interview opened with Abhinav singing the title song of Salman’s iconic film Tere Naam, immediately establishing a tone that combined satire and pointed critique.
Abhinav then addressed a “hypothetical situation” in which he claimed Salman would wish to have him shot, highlighting the intensity of their discord. He emphasized that while Salman himself might not be bothered, it is the actor’s fans, whom he referred to as “chamchas” or sycophants, who seemed most agitated by Abhinav’s outspoken stance. “I am talking about him very openly, and while he’s saying nothing, his chamchas seem to mind a lot. He ruined his own life, and he ruined it so much that it can’t be set right again. I’ve said everything from my heart, and I’ve said the truth, so he cannot feel bad about it,” Abhinav said, underscoring that his grievances stem from his perspective on honesty and personal integrity.
The Allegations: Backstory of the Fallout
Abhinav Kashyap first rose to prominence in Bollywood as the director of Salman Khan’s 2010 blockbuster Dabangg, a film that not only became a commercial hit but also cemented Salman’s status as one of the leading action stars of his generation. Despite the success, Abhinav has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with how he was treated during and after the project. He alleges that Salman took undue credit for the film’s success, diminishing Abhinav’s contributions.
Additionally, Abhinav has claimed that Salman created difficulties on the sets of Tere Naam for Abhinav’s brother, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, ultimately forcing him to step away from the project. These past incidents appear to have formed the foundation for Abhinav’s long-standing grievances, which he has continued to voice publicly.
Spitting the Venom: Abhinav Kashyap’s Statement
The most striking moment in Abhinav’s recent interview came when he addressed the deeper emotional and professional impact of his experiences. He accused Salman Khan of playing a “criminal-like” role by projecting a public persona that he believes is incongruent with his actions. “He begged me for a film, and I gave him a chance with Dabangg, but he stabbed me in the back. Ye jo in logon ne zeher dala hai na mere andar, ye zeher ki ulti kar raha hu main,” Abhinav said, translating roughly to, “I’m spitting whatever venom they’ve filled me up with.”
This metaphor of venom, Abhinav explained, is a representation of accumulated frustration, resentment, and the lingering impact of perceived injustices in the industry. By articulating it in this way, he positioned himself as someone responding not with impulsive aggression but with a deliberate reckoning of past grievances.
Salman Khan’s Weekend Ka Vaar Response
Prior to Abhinav’s latest statements, Salman Khan had addressed the controversy indirectly on Bigg Boss 19 Weekend Ka Vaar without explicitly naming Abhinav. The superstar appeared to acknowledge the tension but shifted focus toward the principle of personal accountability. He remarked, “Mujhe baat buri sirf ek hee cheez lag rahi hai ki apne apne aap ko destroy kar diya. Agar kisike parivar ke peeche padhna hai toh khudke parivar ke peeche padho. Apne bhai ke peeche padho, usse pyar karlo, Maa pita se pyar karlo, biwi bachho ka khayal rakh lo. Yeh toh least hai,” emphasizing that self-destruction and misplaced grievances ultimately harm the individual more than anyone else.
Salman’s response was measured, seeking to de-escalate the conflict by framing it as a personal choice and urging focus on familial and personal responsibilities rather than ongoing public disputes.
Professional and Personal Implications
The ongoing feud between Salman Khan and Abhinav Kashyap is emblematic of larger dynamics within Bollywood, where professional disagreements can often spill into the public domain. Abhinav’s statements not only revisit past grievances but also challenge the influence and conduct of one of the industry’s most prominent stars.
Industry observers note that while Salman Khan’s career trajectory remains largely unaffected by these exchanges, Abhinav’s outspoken nature has positioned him as a figure willing to question established hierarchies and confront perceived injustices. His comments resonate with a segment of the film community that feels marginalized or under-acknowledged despite contributions to blockbuster projects.
Recent Work and Future Plans
Salman Khan, after addressing the Bigg Boss 19 situation, has continued to work on his high-profile projects. He was last seen in Atlee’s Sikandar and is set to star in Battle of Galwan, which promises to be another major release. Abhinav Kashyap, meanwhile, has kept a lower profile in terms of directorial ventures but was recently involved as a creative consultant for Nikita Roy, indicating his continued engagement with the filmmaking process despite personal controversies.
Reflections on the Industry Dynamics
This exchange between Salman Khan and Abhinav Kashyap highlights several broader themes in Bollywood: the challenges of recognition for directors versus stars, the influence of fan bases and public perception, and the emotional toll of professional disputes. Abhinav’s candidness, often described as venomous or raw, reflects a segment of industry professionals who feel the weight of inequities and seek to articulate their frustrations openly.
At the same time, Salman Khan’s approach—addressing the conflict indirectly and emphasizing personal responsibility—illustrates the careful balancing act stars often maintain between public perception and private grievances. The interplay of these contrasting approaches continues to fuel media coverage, audience debates, and speculation about the broader implications for both individuals’ careers.
Conclusion
The confrontation between Abhinav Kashyap and Salman Khan serves as a potent reminder of the complex intersections between art, ego, and public perception in Bollywood. While Abhinav Kashyap positions himself as a filmmaker speaking truth to power, Salman Khan maintains his stance as an industry veteran advocating personal accountability and self-preservation. As the discourse unfolds, fans and industry insiders alike continue to analyze the statements, weigh the claims, and consider the broader impact on both their professional legacies.
For Abhinav, the message is one of catharsis and assertion, confronting past grievances and attempting to reclaim agency over his narrative. For Salman Khan, the focus remains on measured responses and steering the public conversation toward personal responsibility rather than prolonged feud.
The next chapter in this ongoing saga will likely depend on future public interactions, professional collaborations, and media coverage, as both figures navigate the intricate web of Bollywood politics, fandom, and creative expression.
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