Khan family wanted to ‘set up’ Arbaaz Khan by ‘pushing me’ out of Dabangg, director Abhinav Kashyap claims ‘harassment’: ‘Found willing partners in Ranbir Kapoor, his family’

When asked why he didn’t rebel them during that time, the director replied, “Once I put the film together, they realised that they have a winning product on their hands. Then, everyone wanted the credit and I was pushed out during the marketing of the film. I had a dream to make a film and I stepped away, what is the point of fighting at that time? They did subtle things to keep my name out. I was very young, doing my first film. It was fine to quietly get out.”

“Dabangg was an opportunity for Arbaaz to settle himself financially by turning a producer. He kept this condition that he’ll do it only if he produces it, so I agreed. They monopolised all the rights, but they forgot about it while making the film. Later on, when the first print came out and they saw it, they realised that there is something good on their hands. Then, they slidelined me in the marketing and cleaning credits process started,” he further added.

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The film’s sequel Dabangg 2 (2012) was directed by Arbaaz and written by Dilip Shukla. “I was happy to leave Dabangg 2, but differences happened when they came after me, they harassed me, that’s why I stepped away. They wanted a slave kind of a director. They wanted me to do what I was told to do. They would leverage my creativity, steal credit and make money. I noticed that in part one only, so I know the same thing will happen with the sequel – no respect, no fame, no money, no credit,” he expressed.

Abhinav continued, “They were under pressure by the audience because people expected me to make the sequel as well. But, their plan was very clear, it was evident – I should just write the script for them once. They were aware that the main part would be the script. On the basis of script only they allowed me to direct the film. Vo mujhe uske baad nikaal dete, isliye main pehle hi hatt gaya (they would have shooed me away, hence I left before that only).”

Has he ever come across the Khans after their huge fallout? “I am a private person, I don’t go to many parties, and I generally avoid confrontation. I didn’t meet them but once I was recording a song in Yash Raj, and Salman was in the studio beside me, dubbing for his film Ek Tha Tiger. People got excited and ran to meet him. I didn’t go, usko milna hoga toh ajaayega andar (if he wants to meet, he can come here). I can’t stand these people,” Abhinav shared.

The director also spoke about his film Besharam (2013), featuring Ranbir Kapoor and his actor parents Neetu Kapoor and late Rishi Kapoor, which received poor reviews from the critics and audience, and failed to work at box office. “Besharam didn’t work so the entire blame was put on me. Dabangg worked so they took all the credit. Dono film mein, jhaapadd mujhe hi pada (I got slapped in both the films). I found a willing partner in Ranbir and Kapoor family. It didn’t work for whatever reasons. I was fighting with all the blame by Kapoors, and everyone ditched. Ranbir said he regrets doing Besharam. I see, I have fun and laughter about all these things now,” Abhinav smiled and concluded.

For the unknown, Abhinav Kashyap had accused Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Salim Khan of reportedly bullying him, sabotaging his career, stealing his credits in Dabangg, and snatching the opportunity to direct Dabangg 2.