Court Bars Abhinav Kashyap From Insulting Salman Khan 

Mumbai court issues an interim injunction against filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap for defamatory statements against Salman Khan.

Court Bars Abhinav Kashyap

Is a filmmaker’s candid critique an exercise in free speech, or is it a calculated attempt to dismantle a reputation? This is the question at the heart of the latest legal skirmish between Salman Khan and his former director, Abhinav Kashyap.

The Mumbai civil court has made its initial stance clear: the vitriol has gone too far.

On Friday, an ad-interim injunction was slapped on Kashyap, temporarily silencing him from making any further “derogatory” remarks against the actor or his family.

The order stems from a 90 million INR (9 Crore) defamation suit, a figure that signals Khan’s intent to treat this as more than just a passing tabloid nuisance.

The Root of the Rage 

The legal firestorm was ignited by a relentless stream of content—26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025.

These broadcasts, primarily hosted on the “Bollywood Thikana” channel, didn’t just critique Khan’s acting; they targeted his character and his lineage.

• The “Gunda” Claim: Kashyap openly called Khan a “goon” and “the father of the star system.”
• The Family Target: The court noted with particular concern that the insults extended to Khan’s family members.
• The Lack of Interest: Kashyap claimed Khan hasn’t been interested in acting for 25 years, preferring the “power of being a celebrity.”

The Court’s Verdict on Dignity 

Judge P G Bhosale’s ruling provides a fascinating look into the limits of expression.

While Kashyap’s defense likely leans on the right to voice an opinion, the court observed that the remarks were “prima facie defamatory, derogatory, and insulting.” The court’s logic was punchy and precise: “The right to freedom of speech doesn’t mean that one can use abusive language.” 

By targeting the actor’s family, Kashyap crossed a line that moved the dispute from a professional disagreement to a breach of personal privacy and dignity.

The Ghost of Dabangg 

To understand the bitterness, one must look back to 2010. Abhinav Kashyap was the man who gave Salman Khan Dabangg, the film that reinvented Khan’s career and created the iconic Chulbul Pandey.

It was a massive commercial success that should have cemented a lifelong partnership. Instead, it led to a total fracture. Kashyap never returned for the sequels, and his career trajectory stalled while Khan’s reached orbit.

Kashyap’s recent outbursts suggest a man who feels he was chewed up and spat out by a “vindictive” star system. He views himself as a whistleblower; the court, however, currently sees him as a defendant in a defamation case.

Counter-Intuitive Truths 

Many observers believe this is a classic “Goliath vs. David” battle where a superstar is bullying a smaller filmmaker. However, the legal reality is different.

In the digital age, a podcast with thousands of views can cause irreparable damage to a reputation that took 30 years to build. The court’s intervention suggests that even public figures have a right to “dignity,” a concept that is increasingly being codified in Indian law.

Key Takeaways:

• Legal Injunction: Kashyap is barred from posting or circulating any derogatory content about the Khan family.
• Substantial Damages: The 9 Crore suit is one of the highest personal defamation claims in recent Bollywood history.
• Definitive Stance: The court has clarified that “free speech” is not a license for “insulting” language.