A new chapter in the behind-the-scenes saga of Dabangg has been written — and it’s far from the tame tales of Bollywood camaraderie. Director Abhinav Kashyap has made explosive claims about the film’s production, alleging that superstar Salman Khan “kidnapped” the film’s editor and that his brother, Arbaaz Khan, opposed co-star Malaika Arora’s item number “Munni Badnaam Hui” over perceived vulgarity. The revelations paint a picture of deep-rooted tension within one of Bollywood’s most powerful families.
Kidnapping the Edit Room
According to Kashyap, the conflict escalated when Salman allegedly walked into Kashyap’s editing suite at 1:30 a.m., demanded to see a chase sequence involving Arbaaz, and subsequently scrubbed the scene from the film. He detailed a heated confrontation between the brothers marked by thrown utensils and shouted threats — saying Arbaaz tried to intervene while Salman warned, “If you tease with my film, I’ll push a cylinder in your back.” Kashyap claims Salman then forcibly detained the editor and dolly-tracked equipment at his farmhouse, returning them only after being satisfied. “Salman kidnapped my editor and the editing machine and took him to his farmhouse… He allowed him to return only after the editor explained about voltage fluctuation at the farmhouse,” Kashyap stated.
Salman Khan-Arbaaz Khan Rivalry in the Spotlight
Kashyap didn’t mince words about the relationship between Salman and Arbaaz either. He said: “These brothers hate each other, but I don’t know why they live together. It’s a very difficult family to understand.” The tension, he said, stemmed from Salman’s dominance in Dabangg and decisions made without collaborative input.
Vulgarity Labelled Over “Munni Badnaam Hui”
Another contentious point: the making of “Munni Badnaam Hui,” one of Bollywood’s most ubiquitous item numbers. Kashyap claims Arbaaz opposed Malaika performing the song, citing concerns over its “raunchy” nature. According to him, the producer-brother felt Malaika’s inclusion would reduce the film’s respectability. “They were uncomfortable with Malaika’s presentation in the song. They thought her presence would make it vulgar… But I had to fight to get her in,” he said.
Power, Image and Control
Taken together, Kashyap’s allegations reveal a much different backstage reality than the on-screen camaraderie suggested. The claims raise questions about control in Bollywood — over artistic decisions, credit allocation and even editorial access. In the case of Dabangg, a film that launched a multi-film franchise and grossed blockbuster numbers, Kashyap suggests that the creative friction was high and the personal stakes even higher.
Also read: Salman Khan Blasts Malti Chahar’s ‘Kapde Pehen Ke Baat Karna’ Remark: ‘Ekdum Bakwas’
Why This Matters
In an industry built on alliances, franchises and franchises built on alliances, these revelations crack open the facade of unity. When the director brandishes such serious accusations — kidnapping, intra-family bullying, dominance over actors and sequences — it challenges the very structure of how big-budget Bollywood is credited and how power flows within.
For fans of Dabangg the franchise — starring Salman as the larger-than-life cop Chulbul Pandey — these claims might come as a shock. But for the film community, they serve as a candid reminder: the limelight often conceals more than it reveals.
Where It Goes From Here
None of the accused parties have made comprehensive public responses yet. Salman and Arbaaz are both occupied with new projects and maintaining brand value; Malaika continues her path as an actor and model; and Kashyap remains vocal about his side of the story. Whether any legal or formal complaints are filed, or whether the industry takes notice, remains to be seen.
What is clear: the story of Dabangg is no longer only about its on-screen heroics but also about an alleged web of backstage battle lines.