Mumbai, Dec 14 (IANS): Actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan says his wife and co-producer Malaika Arora Khan has been his constant pillar of support throughout the making of "Dabangg 2", which he directed.

"She is my wife and she is the co-producer of the film. Right from the time I started making the film - from the subject of the film, to finalising the actors, where I will be shooting... I used to discuss everything with her," Arbaaz told IANS.

"She was there as more of a sounding board. I wouldn't say she was creatively involved in the films, because that's not her job, that is not her domain and that is not what I wanted her to do. She is my wife and she is as much as the producer as I am," he added.

Arbaaz says it is a natural progression for him to turn director.

"It's a very natural progression in the film industry. People want to do different things. I always wanted to make a movie. It is just that there was an opportunity to be an actor early in my career, but I always at some stage wanted to make my movie, produce and direct a film and when the opportunity came to me, I had to avail it," he said.

"Dabangg 2", releasing Dec 21, features Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Prakash Raj.