In a significant legal victory for Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, a Mumbai civil court has issued an interim order restraining filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing any further “defamatory and derogatory” statements against the actor and his family.
The order, passed by Judge P. G. Bhosale on Friday, January 30, 2026, comes in response to a defamation lawsuit filed by Khan. The actor is seeking a permanent injunction, an unconditional apology, and damages amounting to ₹9 crore.
The legal friction between the Dabangg director and the actor intensified following a series of nearly 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025. In these clips, Kashyap allegedly leveled serious accusations against the Khan family, referring to them as “convicted criminals” and part of a “jihadi ecosystem.”
The lawsuit claimed that Kashyap’s remarks targeted not only Salman Khan’s professional integrity but also the personal character of his father, Salim Khan, and brothers, Arbaaz and Sohail Khan. The plea further stated that the filmmaker used offensive language regarding the actor’s age, appearance, and personal life, comparing him to notorious anti-social elements.
During the hearing, the court reviewed the content of the interviews and found them to be “prima facie defamatory, abusive, and insulting.” Judge Bhosale emphasized that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it does not provide a license for character assassination.
“The right to freedom of speech and expression does not mean that one can use abusive or threatening language against any individual,” the judge noted in the order.
The court further observed that The statements were intended to lower the actor’s reputation in the eyes of the general public. Every individual has a right to privacy and the protection of their image. No person should be allowed to make derogatory statements against another person’s family members.
The court has temporarily barred Kashyap, along with other defendants named in the suit (including social media platforms and specific content creators), from posting, re-sharing, or circulating any defamatory content related to the Khan family.
The defendants have been directed to file their formal replies to the suit before the next hearing. Meanwhile, legal representatives for Salman Khan, including firms DSK Legal, have expressed that these steps were necessary to halt “irreparable harm” to the actor’s personal and professional brand. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
