Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 31: A civil court on Friday temporarily restrained filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing any derogatory comments against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, observing that abusive and threatening language cannot be justified under the pretext of freedom of speech.
As per reports, Judge P G Bhosale passed an ad interim ex parte injunction while hearing a defamation suit filed by Salman Khan against Kashyap and others. The actor has reportedly sought a permanent injunction along with Rs 9 crore in damages.
Salman approached the court after Kashyap allegedly made remarks against him and his family during interviews and podcasts between September 2025 and December 2025.
The lawsuit claims that the filmmaker made “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” statements, which harmed the actor’s reputation in the eyes of the public. Apart from Kashyap, the suit reportedly names Khushboo Hazare and several internet platforms.
The plea highlighted statements allegedly made by Kashyap, including references to the Khan family as “convicted criminals” and members of a “jihadi ecosystem”. It also cited instances where he allegedly made offensive comments on Salman Khan’s appearance, age, and personal life, and even compared him to notorious criminals.
The suit further claimed that derogatory remarks were also directed at Salman’s father Salim Khan and brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.
Filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, the actor has also sought directions to the defendants and social media platforms to remove the contentious content immediately and issue an unconditional apology. Salman also moved the court for urgent interim relief.
After reviewing the statements, the court observed that the remarks were prima facie defamatory, abusive, derogatory and insulting, and held that they lowered Salman Khan’s image and damaged his reputation.
The court underlined that no one should make defamatory statements against anyone’s family, stating that every individual’s privacy and dignity must be protected.
On the issue of free speech, the court clarified that the right to freedom of speech and expression does not permit abusive or threatening language against any person.
The court has restrained Kashyap and others from posting, uploading, reposting, publishing, circulating, giving interviews or communicating any further defamatory content related to Salman Khan or his family on any social media platforms until they appear and submit their reply.
Background of the feud
Abhinav Kashyap, who directed Salman Khan’s blockbuster ‘Dabangg’ (2010), has earlier alleged that the actor sidelined him from the project after the work was completed. The second part of the franchise was later directed by Arbaaz Khan.