Salman Khan Gets Relief In Legal Case Against Abhinav Kashyap: Rs 9 Crore Defamation Suit Explained

Superstar Salman Khan had filed a defamation case against filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap, seeking a permanent ban on such comments and Rs 9 crore in damages. On Friday (January 30), a Mumbai court temporarily restrained the Dabangg director from making or sharing “derogatory” remarks against Khan and his family. While passing the interim order, the court stated that freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to use abusive or threatening language against others. The order comes after a series of fiery comments made by Kashyap against the superstar, his brother Arbaaz Khan and other family members.Salman Khan wins legal case against Abhinav KashyapWhile hearing the defamation case filed by the Sikandar actor, Judge PG Bhosale passed an interim order against Kashyap.

It barred the director from making hurtful comments about Salman Khan.

The suit also mentioned several others, including YouTube channels and other content creators on social media platforms. In his civil lawsuit, the actor claimed Kashyap made “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” statements against him and his family. The plea stated that these targeted his professional integrity and personal character, as well as his family members. The court has temporarily restrained Kashyap and others from publishing or sharing any further derogatory content about the actor or his family.The comments were found to be “prima facie defamatory, derogatory, abusive and insulting in nature.” They harmed the superstar’s image in the eyes of the general public, the court said.“Nobody can and nobody should make any defamatory statements against anybody’s family,” added the court and noted that each person has the right to protect their image and privacy. It stated, "The right to freedom of speech and expression doesn't mean that one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual."Rs 9 Crore Defamation Suit - EXPLAINEDAbhinav, who worked with Salman on his 2010 action-comedy film, had been taking potshots at the actor for some time. While the superstarmaintained a dignified silence, he continued to make scandalous claims. According to the lawsuit filed by Salman, around 26 such video interviews and podcasts were released between September and December 2025.

Salman had requested a permanent ban on such remarks and directions to social media platforms to immediately take down all objectionable content and issue an unconditional apology. He also approached the court seeking urgent interim relief.The actor has not released an official statement on the same. But, on Bigg Boss 19, he had indirectly addressed the comments. "Bethe bethe log kuch bhi ant shant bolrahe hai, jiska taluq raha hai aur jinhone kaafi taarif ki hai meri. Ab, they don't quite like mein anymore. Woh jo aake podcast wagera mein itna time waste karte hai, baatein bolte hai, manghanat baatein bolte hai jo bhi unke mann me aaya hai. Jhoot, uth-patankh baatein karte hai, yeh isiliye karte hai kyunki unke paas koi kaam nahi hai. Meri darkhuast unse aur sabse yeh hai ki kuch kaam karlo," said Salman, purpotedly hitting back at Kashyap.(Loose translation: Sitting around, people are saying all sorts of nonsense, even those who once had a connection with me and had praised me a lot. Now, they don’t quite like me anymore. Those who come on podcasts and waste so much time, talking whatever comes to their mind—lies, nonsense—they do this because they have nothing else to do. My request to them and everyone else is: do some work.)In the order, the court has temporarily prohibited Kashyap and others from creating, sharing or circulating any further defamatory or slanderous material in any form, including videos, posts, interviews or publications. It also restrained them from making any derogatory remarks or online communications related to the actor or his family on social media platforms until they appear before the court and submit their reply.