Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap, who has been vocal about his allegations against Salman Khan, recently spoke about Shah Rukh Khan. The Dabangg director suggested that SRK “only takes” and contributes little to society, even hinting that he should consider moving to Dubai.And now, in a recent interview with Bollywood Thikana, Kashyap clarified that his concerns aren’t personal but stem from the larger Bollywood ecosystem. “See, my bitterness is with everyone—it’s an ecosystem, a way of thinking. The narrative they have spread is that a film is made with a hero. A film is made with a hero, a flop is made with a director. It is very important to dismantle this narrative, which I call the Jihadi mentality,” he said.
On Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan
The director admitted he has interacted closely with Shah Rukh and worked with Aamir. “The way all three think is similar. Salman is a hooligan, he abuses; Shah Rukh doesn’t. Shah Rukh’s way of thinking is to take someone’s idea. The film I pitched didn’t get made because he wanted it to be made in Red Chillies, so that he could control it. I wanted him to just be an actor, take the fees of an actor, and act quietly if he wanted. At least he is not rude and doesn’t abuse. He doesn’t work with intimidation.”Kashyap also revealed that Shah Rukh had tried to mediate between him and Salman Khan in the past. “Shah Rukh tried very hard to get me and Salman reconciled. In a way, Salim Khan is his mentor. Many times he asked me what the problem was, what he should talk about. But I kept him out of it then. So, leave Shah Rukh aside.”
Choosing to stay silent to protect SRK’s family
The director emphasized that he is holding back certain details out of respect for Shah Rukh’s family. “I know a lot about his personal life, but I won’t say it because I don’t want to be the reason his family breaks up. He is a family man, so let him be. I hope he corrects his course and becomes the Shah Rukh he was when he came to Mumbai to become an actor.”Kashyap concluded by referencing Shah Rukh’s ongoing stress over the Aryan Khan case. “Poor guy was already worried, so why should I make him worry?”
