Lawfare, Defamation – Others

A court here on Friday temporarily barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing “derogatory” comments against Salman Khan and family, saying freedom of speech doesn’t mean one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual.

Judge P G Bhosale passed the ad-interim ex-parte injunction against Kashyap and two others while hearing a defamation lawsuit filed by the actor.

The suit, filed in a civil court against Kashyap and several others, has sought a permanent injunction and Rs 9 crore in damages.

The legal action was initiated by Khan in the wake of a series of 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025.

The suit claimed Kashyap made “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” statements against Khan and his family in these videos. Besides Kashyap, Khushboo Hazare and major social media platforms have been named in the suit.

According to the suit, these videos, broadcast on “Bollywood Thikana” channel, contain derogatory remarks that target Khan’s professional integrity and personal character as well as his family members.

Some of the statements highlighted in the suit include Kashyap’s alleged reference to the Khan family as “convicted criminals” and “jihadi ecosystem” members. It also cited instances where Kashyap used offensive language to describe Khan’s appearance, age, and personal life, and allegedly compared him to notorious criminals.

Specific derogatory remarks were reportedly made against the actor’s father Salim Khan, and siblings Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, the plea claimed.