Dabangg, which celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, was the breakthrough film for filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap, Anurag Kashyap's brother.

But he had a bad time working with Salman Khan, the movie's star, and has accused him of several things over the years.

In a recent interview with SCREEN, Abhinav called Salman a "goon." The director reiterated his claims in a new chat, claiming that Salman needed a significant image overhaul prior to the release of Dabangg.

In an interview with Bollywood Thikana, Abhinav claimed that Salman had to shed his portrayal of a "chhichhora" and a "mawali" due to his roles in Wanted and Tere Naam.

Dabangg’s Casting Controversies

Arbaaz Khan was initially interested in playing the lead role himself, but he later offered to produce the movie, according to Abhinav. Abhinav and Salman met thanks to Arbaaz and Sohail Khan, who also gave him a Rs 10 lakh signing bonus and instructed him to begin work on the movie.

“I wasn’t involved in the decision-making, I was told that decisions had been made,” he said, making a reference to Sonakshi Sinha being cast as the female lead without his knowledge.

Fan Reactions to the Ongoing Feud

“My opinion on Salman Khan and his family stands. They are not normal human beings. They are proven criminals. He’s out on bail. He’s a convicted criminal, out on bail. A criminal is a criminal. There are things that even I know,” he said, making a reference to his earlier comments to SCREEN.

In that interview, Abhinav had said, “Salman has 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). I was not aware of this before Dabangg. Salman badtameez hai, ganda insaan hai (Salman is ill-mannered, he is a bad person).”