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Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap has alleged that Salman Khan and his brothers planted negative stories about him in the press when he decided to not return to direct Dabangg 2. Abhinav has said that he had an unpleasant experience working with Salman and Arbaaz Khan on the first Dabangg, which emerged as a major hit. He said that he didn’t want to do another film with the Khans because of how they treated him the first time, and so, he quit over a text message. Following his departure from the project, his brother Anurag Kashyap took to social media to slam Arbaaz, which resulted in a public war of words. In a new interview, Abhinav explained what happened.
Asked how come Salman was seen promoting Anurag’s new film Nishaanchi on social media, he told Bollywood Thikana, “It’s all a charade. Why were there cameras present when he was talking about Nishaanchi?” Anurag has had his own history with Salman; he said in an interview with Samdish Bhatia that he was supposed to write the film Tere Naam for Salman, but was fired from the project after he suggested that Salman not shave his chest.
In 2011, Anurag was shooting Gangs of Wasseypur when he heard about his brother being removed from Dabangg 2, and he posted a message on Twitter (now X) without speaking to Abhinav first. “When Arbaaz announced himself as the director of Dabangg 2, Anurag didn’t know that I’d left the film… People assumed at the time that I had been thrown out of the film. Anurag must’ve read about it. He should’ve called me to ask what happened, but he didn’t, and, in a fit of anger, he went and tweeted against Arbaaz and Salman. A social media war broke out.”
Abhinav said that several journalists began reaching out to him, and one of them told him what had happened. He called up Arbaaz and explained the mix-up, and got his father to tell Anurag to delete his post. “When the journalist told me what had happened, I thought, ‘Arey yaar, main shaanti se sab chhod ke aagaya tha, Anurag ne sab khel kharab kar diya (I walked away peacefully, and Anurag ruined it).’ I told my father to call Anurag and tell him to delete the post, because he shouldn’t be interfering in my business. I called up Arbaaz and told him that I’m trying to get in touch with Anurag, and I’ll make sure it is removed. I think that’s the only time Anurag has apologised for his opinion.”
In his post against Arbaaz and Salman, Anurag had posted, “Salman Khan thinks he made my brother’s life, hope he does the same for Arbaaz when he does Dabangg 2.” Arbaaz had responded, “Salman Khan has already made my life with Dabanggand I appreciate it. I don’t need Dabangg 2 for that. We gave Abhinav an opportunity. Why wasn’t Anurag backing his brother at that time? Where was he when his brother was doing rounds of the industry with his script for two years? As soon as I got Salman’s dates, I called Abhinav up to start work on it. Out of nowhere, he sends me a text saying he is opting out, without offering a reason. In any case, I am glad it happened now, rather than later.”
Backtracking, Anurag replied, “I wish them luck. I am thankful they gave my brother the break. I apologise to everyone (for the earlier comment). I was drunk and upset at the time. In reply to Arbaaz, the reason I didn’t support Abhinav is because my brother wanted to make it on his own without my help.” Abhinav went on to direct Besharam, starring Ranbir Kapoor, but the movie bombed.
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