Salman Khan has been lovingly known as Bollywood's Bhaijaan for over decades now. The actor has never shied away from making decisions, whether in films or in his personal life, that he believes are in everyone's best interest. Over the years, many celebrities have spoken about Salman's attitude, some praising him and others criticising him.
However, of late, if you are an avid social media user and follow trends, Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap has been going all out, making shocking claims about Salman Khan. He has openly accused the actor of several things and has been trashing his image in multiple interviews.
Salman Khan subtly dropped hints without taking Abhinav's name during his Bigg Boss house tenure. But Abhinav Kashyap has refused to stop. He continues to speak against Salman Khan and has even targeted his family, something everyone knows Salman Khan cannot stand.
Salman Khan goes legal
Now, Salman Khan has gone the legal route. As per reports, a Mumbai court on Friday temporarily barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing "derogatory" comments against Salman Khan and his family, observing that freedom of speech does not mean one can use abusive or threatening language against any individual.
Judge P.G. Bhosale passed an ad-interim ex-parte injunction against Kashyap and two others while hearing a defamation lawsuit filed by the actor. The suit, filed in a civil court, seeks a permanent injunction along with ₹9 crore in damages.
The legal action was initiated after a series of 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025. The suit claims that Kashyap made "scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory" statements against Salman Khan and his family in these videos.
The suit further alleges that Kashyap referred to the Salman Khan family as convicted criminals and members of a jihadi ecosystem. It also cites instances where Kashyap used offensive language to comment on Khan's appearance, age, and personal life, and allegedly compared him to notorious criminals. Specific derogatory remarks were reportedly made against Salman's father, Salim Khan, and his brothers, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.
Filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, the lawsuit seeks to permanently restrain the defendants from publishing any further defamatory content or interviews. It also urges the court to direct the defendants and social media platforms to immediately remove all contentious content and issue an unconditional apology. Khan also sought urgent interim relief.
What did Abhinav say?
After perusing Kashyap's statements in the podcasts, the court observed that they are "prima facie defamatory, derogatory, abusive and insulting in nature." The court noted that these statements lower the plaintiff's image in the eyes of the general public and harm his reputation.
The court further emphasised that "nobody can, and nobody should make defamatory statements against anybody's family," adding that every individual's privacy and image deserve protection. On the issue of freedom of speech and expression, the court clarified that it does not give anyone the right to use abusive or threatening language against another individual.
Besides Kashyap, Khushboo Hazare and major social media platforms have also been named in the suit. According to the plea, the videos—broadcast on the Bollywood Thikana channel—contain derogatory remarks targeting Khan's professional integrity, personal character, and his family members.
At the centre of the controversy are 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025. Through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, Salman Khan has sought a permanent injunction and Rs 9 crore in damages for the comments made against him and his family.
