In Bollywood, where fame can turn to fallout in a matter of films, few stories are as instructive—or as tragic—as that of Dabangg director Abhinav Kashyap. His journey from directing one of India’s biggest blockbusters to becoming a controversial, isolated figure in the film fraternity reveals how ego, unchecked ambition, and broken relationships can derail even the most promising careers.
Abhinav Kashyap: Bollywood’s tale of ego, opportunity & self-sabotage
The Rise: From Writer to Blockbuster Director (2000–2010)
Before Dabangg made him a household name, Abhinav Kashyap spent nearly a decade in the trenches of the industry. He began his career writing for television and contributing to acclaimed scripts like Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) and 13B (2009).
His life changed in 2010 with Dabangg, starring Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. The film, which Abhinav co-wrote and directed, became one of the year’s biggest hits and redefined commercial Hindi cinema. Its mix of stylised action, rustic humour, and Salman’s charm gave birth to a cultural phenomenon—and Abhinav, to instant stardom.
2011–2012: Creative Rift with the Khans
Soon after Dabangg’s release, reports of tension began surfacing between Abhinav and the film’s producers—Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora. In 2011, Abhinav officially exited Dabangg 2, citing creative differences. Sources at the time suggested deeper personal friction.
In a 2012 interview, Arbaaz Khan subtly addressed the issue, saying, “Sometimes relationships don’t work out, and you move on.” For Abhinav, however, walking away from a guaranteed blockbuster sequel marked a decisive turning point.
2013: Besharam and the Fall from Grace
Determined to prove himself outside the Khan banner, Abhinav directed Besharam (2013) starring Ranbir Kapoor, Pallavi Sharda, and Rishi Kapoor. Despite massive pre-release buzz, the film flopped at the box office and was critically panned, it was the polar opposite of his previous triumph.
The failure not only hit his credibility but also strained his relationship with key production houses. Reports suggested fallouts with Viacom18 and Reliance Entertainment during post-production, further isolating him from top-tier studios.
2020: Public Outbursts and Explosive Allegations
For several years, Abhinav remained away from the limelight—until June 2020, when he made national headlines for a series of explosive Facebook posts. In the wake of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, Abhinav accused Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, and Sohail Khan of sabotaging his career after Dabangg.
“My projects were systematically derailed. Calls were made to producers and distributors to throw me out. I was threatened and humiliated,” he wrote on June 15, 2020.
He further alleged that the Khan family’s influence in the industry had blocked his subsequent projects, leading to his professional downfall.
The accusations went viral, but no concrete evidence ever surfaced. Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, brushed off the claims, telling the media, “Let him write whatever he wants. I have no time to waste on such matters.”
While the posts drew massive online attention, they also positioned Abhinav as a volatile, combative voice rather than a serious filmmaker.
2021–2023: New Targets, Old Patterns
In subsequent years, Abhinav extended his public criticism to other stars, including Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, accusing them of monopolising the industry and suppressing new voices. His interviews and social media comments often veered into sensationalism, overshadowing any legitimate grievances he might have had.
By 2022, his reputation had taken a severe hit. Industry insiders largely distanced themselves from him, and no new projects were announced under his direction. His last credited work remains Besharam—a gap of more than a decade since he last held the director’s chair.
The Cost?
Parallel to his professional decline, Abhinav’s personal life also faced turmoil. He divorced his wife, Chatura Rao, in 2017 after 20 years of marriage. His brother, Anurag Kashyap, has since acknowledged in interviews that Abhinav’s mental health struggles worsened after Dabangg, noting that “he hasn’t been in a good space for a long time.”
Friends and colleagues describe him as fiercely intelligent but prone to self-sabotage—unable to maintain long-term collaborations or relationships.
The Lesson
Fifteen years after his explosive debut, Abhinav Kashyap’s career serves as a sobering reminder that success in Bollywood is sustained not only by talent but also by humility, discipline, and emotional intelligence. Today, Abhinav Kashyap’s credibility lies in tatters. His public appearances are consumed more for amusement than insight. The tragedy isn’t just the loss of a promising filmmaker – it’s the erosion of trust, respect, and legacy.
Where Dabangg once gave him the keys to the kingdom, his own pride and feuds locked those gates shut. Today, he stands as a case study in what happens when opportunity meets obstinacy.
In Bollywood, failure can be forgiven. Egos rarely are. And in Bollywood, that’s a fatal flaw.
Also Read: Salman Khan fires back at Abhinav Kashyap over explosive claims on Bigg Boss 19 weekend ka vaar
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