Court Temporarily Restrains Abhinav Kashyap from Making Derogatory Remarks About Salman Khan
On Friday, a court in Mumbai issued a temporary order prohibiting filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making any derogatory comments against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The court emphasized that the right to freedom of speech and expression does not justify using abusive or threatening language against an individual. This ruling came during a hearing for a defamation lawsuit filed by Khan, which seeks significant damages and a permanent injunction.
Details of the Defamation Lawsuit and Court Proceedings
According to reports from PTI, Judge P G Bhosale granted an ad interim ex parte injunction against Abhinav Kashyap and two other defendants in the defamation case. The lawsuit was filed in a civil court and names Kashyap, along with Khushboo Hazare and several internet platforms, as respondents. It demands a permanent injunction and Rs 9 crore in damages for alleged defamatory remarks.
Salman Khan initiated legal action after Kashyap gave interviews and spoke against the actor on various podcasts between September 2025 and December 2025. The defamation suit claims that Kashyap made "scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory" statements about Khan and his family. Specific allegations include references to the Khan family as "convicted criminals" and "jihadi ecosystem" members, as well as offensive comments about Khan's appearance, age, and personal life, with comparisons to notorious criminals.
The plea further highlights derogatory remarks allegedly made against Khan's father, Salim Khan, and siblings Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan. Filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, the lawsuit aims to permanently restrain the defendants from publishing any further defamatory content and seeks a court directive for the removal of all contentious material from social media platforms, along with an unconditional apology.
Court's Rationale and Interim Orders
The court, after reviewing Kashyap's statements from the podcast interviews, found them to be "prima facie defamatory, derogatory, abusive, and insulting in nature." It stated that these remarks harm Salman Khan's reputation and lower his image in the eyes of the public. The court underscored that "nobody can and nobody should make any defamatory statements against anybody's family," emphasizing the importance of protecting individual privacy and image.
On the issue of freedom of speech, the court clarified that this right does not permit the use of abusive or threatening language against any person. As an interim measure, the court temporarily restrained Kashyap and the other defendants from:
- Making or uploading videos, posts, or messages with defamatory content.
- Giving interviews or communications that are slanderous.
- Publishing, republishing, hosting, or circulating any further derogatory remarks about Khan or his family on social media platforms.
These restrictions will remain in effect until the defendants appear in court and file their replies to the lawsuit. Khan also sought urgent interim relief, which the court addressed through this order.
Background of the Salman Khan and Abhinav Kashyap Feud
The legal dispute stems from a longstanding feud between Salman Khan and Abhinav Kashyap, who directed the blockbuster film 'Dabangg' released in September 2010. Kashyap has repeatedly alleged that Khan sidelined him from the project after the work was completed. The success of the film led to a sequel, 'Dabangg 2,' which was directed by Arbaaz Khan, further fueling tensions between the parties.
This case highlights the ongoing conflicts within the Bollywood industry and the legal recourse available to public figures when faced with defamatory statements. It serves as a reminder of the boundaries of free speech in the context of personal attacks and the protection of reputation under Indian law.
