‘Sohail Khan mocked Randeep Hooda, Salman Khan was insecure of Sonu Sood’: Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap says he had ‘no say’ in casting Sonakshi Sinha

Also read – ‘Salman Khan is a proven criminal, he had the image of a chhichhora and mawaali’: Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap doubles down against Khan family

Sohail also enjoyed the story, and the two brothers were curious to know who Abhinav had in mind for the lead role. He said that he had spoken to Randeep Hooda about it, because they had developed a friendship over the years. “Randeep had done only two films at the time, and I wanted someone who looked rough and tough. Randeep would’ve fitted that sort of character. They said, ‘No, yaar, Randeep Hooda ka kya market hai, kaun paise lagayega (He doesn’t have a big enough reach, who would bet on him)?'” Abhinav recalled, adding that he was encouraged to think bigger. The names he came up with were Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, and Salman. Hearing Salman’s name, the two brothers became excited.

They arranged a meeting between him and Salman, which took place on the set of the film Veer. Abhinav said that Salman stared at him for several minutes without saying a word, and then summoned Sohail. He asked Sohail what films he had in the pipeline, and then signalled as if to say that Dabangg would become the priority. Abhinav said that he was largely kept away from the decision-making, which was done by Salman and his brothers. For instance, the hiring of Sonakshi Sinha happened without his involvement. But he was ultimately happy with her, and had a good time working with her.

He couldn’t say the same for Salman. When the discussions about whom to cast as the main villain began, Abhinav suggested Sonu Sood’s name, because he wanted an imposing foe for Chulbul Pandey. “Sonu was my suggestion; we were old friends. I helped him get cast in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva. I thought he looked like a young Amitabh Bachchan… For the villain, I wanted someone who looked stronger than Salman. I knew Sonu had a good physique. But Salman wasn’t very keen. He was very insecure, because Sonu had a good body. Katrina helped convince him. She was around Salman a lot those days, and she endorsed the idea of Sonu being cast,” he said.

Abhinav revealed that he had also pitched the film to Katrina, who didn’t end up doing it for some reason. Sonakshi was hired by Salman and his brothers, and Abhinav said that he first spoke to her by sending her a friend request on Facebook. Dabangg was a major hit, but Abhinav wasn’t invited back for the sequels. He has since expressed his anger at the Khan family on several occasions.