Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 22: Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap, who directed Salman Khan’s 2010 blockbuster Dabangg, has reignited his long-standing feud with the Khan family by revealing that Arbaaz Khan was initially against casting his then-wife, Malaika Arora, in the iconic item number Munni Badnaam Hui.

Speaking on the show Bollywood Thikana, Kashyap claimed that the Khan family was “uncomfortable” with Malaika’s inclusion, fearing her presentation in the song might appear “vulgar.” He said, “They were worried that Malaika’s presentation would be vulgar because Munni Badnaam Hui was a raunchy song. But I assured them that I would shoot it tastefully. Malaika had already made her mark with item songs, much like her stepmother-in-law, Helen. I wanted her, and I fought to have her in the song. Arbaaz specifically did not want her to do it.”

Malaika and Arbaaz, who tied the knot in 1998, were married at the time of Dabangg’s release and share a son, Arhaan Khan. The couple separated in 2016. Arbaaz has since remarried makeup artist Sshura Khan, with whom he recently welcomed a daughter, Sipaara. Malaika, on the other hand, was in a relationship with actor Arjun Kapoor before their breakup.

Kashyap’s latest remarks come amid his ongoing friction with Salman Khan. The director had earlier accused Salman and his family of trying to sabotage his career after Dabangg’s success — claims the actor dismissed as false.

In a recent episode of Bigg Boss 19, Salman appeared to indirectly address Kashyap’s repeated allegations. Without naming him, the actor said, “People are sitting and making all kinds of claims. They’ve praised me in the past, but now that they have no work, they go on podcasts and spread lies. I just urge them to focus on work.”

The tension between Kashyap and the Khan family dates back to 2020, when the director publicly accused Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, and their father Salim Khan of professional sabotage. While Arbaaz hinted at legal action, Salman maintained silence on the matter until recently.

Despite the controversy, Munni Badnaam Hui went on to become one of Bollywood’s most iconic item songs, cementing Malaika Arora’s place in pop culture — a choice that, as Kashyap now reveals, almost didn’t happen.