Abhinav Kashyap Slams Salman Khan Again, Calls Him ‘More Arrogant Than Ravan’; Questions Shah Rukh Khan’s Stardom

Abhinav Kashyap , the filmmaker behind Salman Khan ’s 2010 hit Dabangg, has once again stirred the Bollywood pot with bold statements targeting two of the industry’s biggest names, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan . Known for his long-standing friction with the Khan family, Kashyap’s latest remarks have reignited conversations around stardom, ego, and the true meaning of success in Bollywood.

Questioning SRK’s “Superstar” Tag

Speaking to Bollywood Thikana, Abhinav Kashyap dismissed the entire idea of “superstardom.” He said, “I am not comfortable with the word ‘superstar.’ The only star I know is the one in the sky. I don’t believe Shah Rukh is a superstar. This is all wordplay to misguide the media. As an actor, yes, Shah Rukh Khan has done some good work. He has also had flops. But he is not the first actor.”

He also took a dig at SRK’s frequent claim of being “the last of the superstars,” saying that many actors came before him and many will follow. For Kashyap, “There have been several actors before him and there will be several actors after him. This will continue—actors will come and go, the art will never die.”

“Wealth Doesn’t Make a Superstar”

Kashyap emphasised, "One’s bank balance can’t decide one’s stardom. These are all fabricated terms created by the media. I don’t respect a person because of his status; I respect them for their behaviour and character. I have several friends who treat me well, and they are my true superstars."

He added, "People who have brought genuine change to society are superstars, not people like Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan. They are just normal actors who have made some money. And to earn that money, they sold paan masala and danced at weddings"

Kashyap on Salman: ‘He Has More Haters’

The director didn’t spare Salman Khan either. He said,“All my interviews against him are getting popular because he has many haters in this country. A lot of people don’t like him. So how does that make him a superstar? Declaring yourself a superstar doesn’t make you one. Shah Rukh Khan calling himself the ‘last superstar’ is more like being obsessed with oneself.”

He also reminded people of his earlier claim that, “People believed me when I said, ‘Salman Ravan se bhi zyada ghamandi hai’ (Salman is more arrogant than Ravan). Salman has been appreciating himself for the past 33 years.”

A Relationship That Soured After Dabangg

Abhinav Kashyap’s rift with Salman Khan dates back to the aftermath of Dabangg. After its massive success, Kashyap refused to direct Dabangg 2, and the fallout that followed turned into a long-running feud. Over the years, he has continued to openly criticise the superstar and the industry ecosystem around him.

A Debate That Won’t End Soon

With his latest statements, Abhinav Kashyap has once again triggered a fresh wave of discussions on how Bollywood defines stardom. Whether people agree with him or not, one thing is clear: his words ensure that the conversation around the power dynamics of the film industry never truly dies down.