More than two decades after a party spat with Salman Khan, filmmaker Subhash Ghai has revisited the altercation while recalling how the two eventually moved past it and went on to work together in the 2008 film Yuvvraaj.

Ghai recalled how a spat at a party escalated into verbal abuse and a brief scuffle between him and the actor. “We were at a party, and Salman was high. He had an issue with me and asked why I did a certain thing. When I explained it was my call as a director, he started abusing me. I asked him to stop, and we had a spat right there,” the 81-year-old told Times Now.

Ghai further shared how the situation eventually required intervention from Salman’s father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. “Salim saheb called me and said Salman had confessed everything to his mother. He told me, ‘I have scolded him,’ and sent Salman over to my house to apologize,” he added.

When Salman later apologized, Ghai said that seeing the respect he had for his father made him appreciate the actor’s character and move past the incident.

“After that, we began visiting each other regularly and eventually worked on a film together,” Ghai added.

The rocky start eventually gave way to a lasting friendship. Over the years, Ghai has often praised Khan’s conduct, most recently sharing a photo with the actor on Instagram from Jackie Shroff’s birthday celebrations earlier this year.

Activist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has responded to Aamir Khan’s recent claim that he and the makers of 3 Idiots did not know him while making the 2009 film. Wangchuk, who has himself previously said Phunsukh Wangdu was not entirely based on him, now says he had a “detailed meeting” with Khan before the film and jokes that the actor may have forgotten it.

“He was watching my speech in his Ghajini outfit. Maybe because of that he experienced short-term memory loss and forgot our meeting after 15 minutes,” he said, referring to the 2008 film where Khan’s character suffers from short-term memory loss.

“Perhaps he was too immersed in his Ghajini persona when he watched me receive an award at an event we both attended… We discussed a lot of ideas,” he said on Prakhar Gupta’s podcast.

As for the character of Wangdu, Wangchuk asserts he does not claim it was entirely modeled after him, but calls it an “influence or inspiration”.

He said, “Maybe he shared those ideas with his writers, who then modified the existing script. Perhaps he did it subconsciously, or the writers were unaware of where the ideas originated. Either way, I have no issue with it,” he said.

Wangchuk also responded to Salman Khan’s viral ‘it’s done bro’ tweet from July, when the actor asked him to end his strike. “Majbooriyan hoti hongi sabki. Aage peeche, daayen baayen dekhna padta hai. Lekin unhone kuch kaha uski main izzat karta hoon,” he said.

Phunsukh Wangdu, Khan’s character in 3 Idiots, has been popularly believed to have been inspired by Wangchuk. The debate resurfaced in July after actor Omi Vaidya, who played Chatur in the film, referred to Wangchuk as an inspiration while supporting his hunger strike.

Clarifying the connection at the London Indian Film Festival, Khan said, “No, that is not true actually. That is a misconception. I didn’t know about Mr Sonam at that time when we were doing the film, 3 Idiots... Neither Raju nor Abhijat [Rajkumar Hirani or Abhijat Joshi], who are the two writers, we didn’t know about Mr Sonam.”

However, the actor called Wangchuk an inspiration irrespective while wishing for his health.

Even as Muzammil Ibrahim shoots for Salman Khan’s next, the working title of which is SVC63, there’s another biggie lined up. The actor told mid-day that creator and director Neeraj Pandey is set to take the third season of Special Ops on floors soon.

Ibrahim, who plays undercover agent Avinash in the Kay Kay Menon-led spy thriller, is hopeful that his character will enjoy longer screen space in the next season.

The actor shared, “We will be on Special Ops sets soon. The show introduced me to a wider audience. After season two, Neeraj sir told me that they received feedback that people wanted to see more of me. I hope that the team makes a note of it and I get to see more of [my character].”

The second edition of Special Ops, also starring Karan Tacker and Vinay Pathak, dropped on JioHotstar in July 2025.

Expressing his admiration for Pandey, Ibrahim said, “Working with Neeraj sir is a different experience altogether. The professionalism the man and his team bring to the table is amazing.”

There is no better place than a movie set for an actor, and the set of a Salman Khan film is hard to top. Ask actor Muzammil Ibrahim, who plays a key part in director Vamshi Paidipally’s action film, the working title of which is SVC63. Personally, he is over the moon to be sharing the frame with his childhood idol. 

“I never imagined that I’d get to work with him. When he came on the set, I was like, ‘Wow! I am going to be in the same frame as Salman sir,’” Ibrahim told mid-day over a call from the film’s set.

For him, the first day of working with Khan was filled with awe. With every passing day, his admiration for the superstar has only grown.

He shared, “I am a crazy fan of Salman sir. So much so that I can’t even talk when he is around. I am bursting inside to tell him so many stories — for instance, how I used to tie a bandana just like him, or how I would walk like him.”

Bagging one of the most anticipated films of 2027, also starring Nayanthara, is a win for Ibrahim. The actor believes his work in Special Ops helped him land the project. “I think Special Ops was a big trigger; my work in the show was appreciated and people took notice of it,” he said. 

“I have missed [watching] so many South films. So, I caught up on some of them. Nayanthara is fantastic. You respect the artiste more once you know them personally,” said Muzammil Ibrahim.

Salman Khan’s journey is taking him to Afghanistan. On screen, at least. mid-day has learnt that director Vamshi Paidipally has recreated an Afghan village at Prime Focus Studio in Film City, Goregaon, for the ongoing schedule of his next with Khan, the working title of which is ‘SVC63’. 

The set comprises mud-plastered structures, narrow lanes, and weathered homes, designed specifically for several crucial action sequences.

A source revealed, “Nayanthara has joined Salman for this portion of the shoot. The duo will feature together in key action set-pieces. The Mumbai schedule, which began on August 6, is among the most important stretches during which the director plans to wrap a chunk of the action material.”

We’ve learnt that Jackie Shroff will also join the unit in the leg that will go on till early September. The veteran actor apparently plays a pivotal character who steps in when Khan’s protagonist finds himself in a difficult situation.

A Chandigarh district court has issued summons to actor Salman Khan, his sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri, and directors of Style and Content Jewellery Pvt Ltd in connection with a cheating complaint related to a Being Human jewellery showroom in Manimajra, Chandigarh. The court has directed all the accused to appear on October 5.

The complaint was filed by Chandigarh-based businessman Arun Gupta, who alleged that he was persuaded to invest in the showroom based on false assurances of strong business prospects. He accused six persons associated with the company of misrepresenting the business deal and claimed that he invested nearly Rs. 3 crore. Arun alleged that he suffered losses amounting to several crores after the company failed to provide the promised business support following the showroom’s launch.

One of the key issues raised by Arun is that the store responsible for supplying Being Human jewellery remained closed from February 2020 onwards. He claimed that this resulted in irregular jewellery supply and significant losses to his business.

Arun also alleged that he was assured Salman would inaugurate the showroom, but the ceremony was instead conducted by Salman’s brother-in-law, actor Aayush Sharma.

As per the clarification issued by the company, Salman Khan Foundation had licensed Being Human brand name to Style and Content Jewellery Pvt Ltd way back in 2015. It had claimed that managing and selling the jewellery business was solely the responsibility of the company.

On July 28, mid-day reported that Salman Khan’s foundation Being Human tied up with his fan clubs in Assam to distribute food among the affected as the state battled its worst flood in six decades (Stars and fans unite for Assam, July 28). Now, the actor and his team have begun the second phase of relief measures.

Khan has joined forces with the non-profit organisation, Global Sikhs, to rehabilitate the displaced. So far, they have built 220 semi-permanent houses in Nepali Khuti, which has been the worst hit village.

While rehabilitation was always part of Khan’s three-pronged plan, he accelerated it last week when he saw reels of Randeep Hooda carrying out on-ground relief operations. Apparently, the superstar got in touch with Hooda through a common friend.

“Randeep told Salman that under Global Sikhs’ relief efforts, 70 of them were working together. He also shared what they needed at the moment. Amarpreet Singh, the founder of Global Sikhs, told Salman that they were planning to build semi-permanent homes, made of bamboo and tin shed, that would be flood-proof and that each would cost between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000. Salman immediately joined hands with the foundation, and together they pledged to set up 500 houses,” said a source.

When mid-day reached out to Singh, he revealed that the rehabilitation process is being executed under the two foundations’ joint project, Aashiana.

He shared, “Salman Khan spoke to us a few days ago and said, ‘Aap log fikar mat karo’. Right now, Sivasagar is the worst affected and its epicentre is Nepali Khuti. In the first phase of building, 220 houses have been completed, and we’re distributing it per family. We can build eight to 10 houses a day.”

In the past few days, Salman Khan’s next action entertainer — the working title of which is SVC63 — has hit headlines over reports of the actor’s remuneration.

Away from the noise, the superstar is readying to kick off the next schedule on August 6. mid-day has learnt that director Vamshi Paidipally will begin a six-week schedule in Goregaon, aiming to shoot three action set-pieces and several crowd sequences.

A source said, “The makers had initially planned to conduct the schedule in Hyderabad, but it was moved to Mumbai. This leg is heavily dependent on crowd work, with scenes involving hundreds of junior artistes. The action team has planned large-scale sequences, and the crowd movement in them is as important as Salman’s stunts. Nayanthara is expected to join the unit in a few weeks.”

Actor Rahul Dev has come on board as one of the film’s antagonists. He will join Khan in the upcoming leg.

Devastation and destruction have gripped Assam over the past 10 days, as the state has been battling one of its worst floods in recent years. In the wake of the floods, members of the Hindi film industry have begun mobilising relief efforts on the ground. mid-day has learnt that Salman Khan, who has been shooting Vamshi Paidipally’s yet-untitled next in Mumbai, has been coordinating with his fan club in Assam to distribute food and essential supplies to the state’s worst-hit areas.

A source close to the actor told mid-day, “He connected with the Salman Khan Fan Club [SKFC] Assam and planned a phased process to aid the affected.”

In the first phase of the initiative, Khan’s NGO Being Human has joined forces with the SKFC Assam to distribute ready-to-eat food packets in Sivasagar, from Guwahati.

“Each packet consists of biscuits, jaggery, poha, puffed rice, bread, cheese, and jam. Salman’s priority is to make sure families have enough food to last for at least three days until the situation improves,” added the source.

They are also distributing sanitary pads, mosquito coils, drinking water, and water purification tablets. 

The second phase, to be started next week, will focus on distribution of ration kits and medicines. In the final phase, Being Human will undertake the responsibility of reconstructing schools and hospitals in severely affected areas.

Actor Bhumi Pednekkar has also extended support by partnering with Bharat Disaster Relief Foundation (BDRF), which is currently providing ration kits, hygiene kits, drinking water, and other essential supplies to families in Sivasagar.

A source said, “When Bhumi found out that BDRF was driving relief efforts in Assam, she partnered with the non-profit organization.”

The Delhi High Court has directed the takedown of the teaser of the proposed movie Kala Hiran: The Battle For Legacy.’ The court told producer Amit Jani, “You can’t do this even to a common man. It cannot get worse than this even for a common man.”

The court added, “Either take them (the promotional material) off yourself, or I am going to direct you to do that with strong objections. Every minute it (the teaser) is in the public domain, it is harming the reputation of the plaintiff here. I was mild with you, but you are incorrigible.”

The film reportedly depicts Salman Khan and also portrays the 1998 alleged Black Buck poaching case pending against him.

Setting a 24-hour deadline, Justice Jyoti Singh stated she would order the removal of social media links to the teaser, along with interviews given by the producer regarding Khan and the film. She made it clear that if the producer fails to take down the material, the court will instruct major platforms, including YouTube and X, to step in and remove it.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Khan seeking the protection of his personality rights. The counsel for Jani argued that he had never claimed Khan acted in the film and had merely responded to questions during interviews. Jani maintained that the teaser neither names Khan nor uses deepfake or AI technology. He contended that there is no exclusive protection against depicting public events.

“This is only a teaser, how is his personality getting infringed by this?” he submitted. The court disagreed with the stand taken by the producer and said that this must stop. Justice Jyoti Singh said, “Reputation once lost is lost. You’re linking him (Salman Khan) with LB (Lawrence Bishnoi). I don’t want to name him.”

Chandrima Mitra and Parag Khandhar from Khan’s legal team tells us, “(An) order is awaited. The court said on Monday morning that the interviews given by Amit Jani, regarding this film and Salman Khan, and the teaser released as of now, which are available on various social media platforms, should be taken down within 24 hours.”

Khan’s lawyers argued, “There was nothing left to imagination. This movie is completely about me.” They told the court that Khan had been acquitted in three of the four cases and that the sentence in the remaining case had been suspended.

Justice Jyoti Singh told the lawyer representing the producer, “You seem to get emboldened by the fact that no order was passed last time. Your client thinks he is above the law. He is getting worse day by day... Every minute it is in the public domain, it is harming the reputation of the plaintiff (Salman Khan) here. I was mild with you, but you are incorrigible... You can’t do this even to a common man. It cannot get worse than this even for a common man.”

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On Monday, the Delhi High Court, directed the removal of links related to the teaser of Kala Hiran: The Battle For Legacy, allegedly inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case. Justice Jyoti Singh also said she would order the removal of interviews by producer Amit Jani.

Salman Khan’s lawyer, advocate Parag Khandhar, says, “The Delhi HC directed Amit Jani to remove Kala Hiran movie teaser appearing on various social media platforms and certain interviews, the links of which are provided by Salman Khan in his application.”

The court has given the producer 24 hours to take down the content, failing which platforms like YouTube would have to act.

In his application filed in June, Salman alleged that the film’s promotional material infringes his personality rights, citing references to him, including a lookalike wearing his signature turquoise bracelet.

Responding to the legal notice, producer Amit Jani rejected the allegations, asserting that the film is based on material already available in the public domain and centres on the Bishnoi community’s efforts to protect wildlife.

Musician Ayaan Agnihotri, who is the nephew of actor Salman Khan and goes with the stage name Agni, made his Bollywood playback debut this year with C’mon Baby in the Bobby Deol-starrer Bandar. But before the release, he had to keep the project a secret from his uncle.

“I was not allowed to tell Salman Mamu that I was doing this song for Bobby uncle’s film. Nikhil (Dwivedi, co-producer), swore me to secrecy. He said, ‘When this song goes through, then I will play it to your Mamu and tell him I’ve discovered a new voice. What do you think of this guy?’,” Ayaan recalls.

Salman’s response, he says, was encouraging. “He liked it, and when he met me the next time, he told me I did a good job and should stay at it,” the 33-year-old shares.

The son of Salman’s sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri and filmmaker Atul Agnihotri, Ayaan had once planned to become an actor but life had other plans. He shares, “I went to university to do acting and world theatre. As I went on, I realized that it’s just performing in general that I enjoy. Around the same time, I started writing and found a special connection with music. I felt I could express things that I wanted to through my writing. Music helped me relate to things I was going through and get through them. That really made an impact on me.”

While music is taking up all his time currently, acting is still on his radar. “Maybe sometime in the future. It’s definitely not off the agenda because I do love acting. But right now, the focus is on the music,” he ends.

When Mamta Sharma first heard that Chatni was returning to the big screen, it took the singer back to one of the happiest phases of her career. She previously performed the number, titled Kaise Bani Kaise Bani — The Chatni Song, alongside Salman Khan in Dabangg 2 (2012). Recreating it for Ajay Devgn’s Dhamaal 4 felt like reliving a cherished memory.

“Very few people get a chance to redo their own track, and that too in another iconic franchise,” said the singer enthusiastically.

The opportunity came unexpectedly. Sharma recalled that she got a call from Raj Chanana, assistant vice-president at T-Series. “Aditya Dev [composer]] had recreated it. The moment I heard the track, it brought back so many memories. I’ve been singing it on stage for so many years that it has become [another] Munni to me,” she smiled.

For Sharma, however, the song is inseparable from Khan and the Dabangg universe. Days after recording the track for Dabangg 2, she shot for it with the superstar — an experience that fulfilled her childhood dream.

“The first posters I put up in my home were of Salman sir and Madhuri [Dixit Nene] ma’am. Then suddenly, in 2010, I was working with him. I still remember how he held my hand and spun me during the song. I was so happy that even during breaks, my hand would remain in that position,” laughed the singer, who has several party numbers and a collaboration with lyricist Nikhat Khan in the pipeline. “Keep your dancing shoes ready,” she teased.

Actor, director, and producer Sohail Khan is set to make his reality show debut with Alliance. Calling it an opportunity to move beyond being only seen as “Salman Khan’s brother”, Sohail says, “In the show, there’s no family name to lean on. No industry clout. It’s just me, my mind, and how I play the game.” He adds, “If people walk away seeing a side of me they didn’t expect, good. That’s exactly why I’m here.”

Having watched his brother, Salman, host a reality show for years, Sohail says he never saw himself entering the same until now because the format demanded something different.

“I’ve seen what it takes, the energy, the drama, the emotional toll. And I always thought, ‘That’s his space, not mine’,” he says, adding, “Salman’s show is about personalities, conflicts and emotions. But this one is fundamentally different. It’s a game of the mind. Strategy. Outwitting people without them knowing they’ve been outwitted. That challenge appealed to me in a way nothing else has.”

Ask him how Salman reacted when he decided to participate, Sohail says his brother was both encouraging and cautious. “He was intrigued. And then he said, ‘You sure you know what you’re getting into?’ Which, knowing him, is both a warning and a blessing. I’ll take it,” says the 55-year-old.

Sohail also weighs in on what the Khan family dynamic would look like inside a reality TV show, saying each member would play the same role they do in real life. “The leader is obviously Salman.... He walks into any room and it reorganizes itself around him,” he says, adding, “The peacemaker would probably be Arbaaz (Khan, actor-director). He listens, mediates and keeps everyone grounded. And the master strategist? I’d say me, but honestly, it might be my mother (Salma Khan). She’s been managing this family for decades. Three sons, three different personalities, three different egos. If that’s not master-level strategy, I don’t know what is.”

As his son Nirvaan Khan, whom he shares with ex-wife, fashion designer Seema Sajdeh, prepares for his Bollywood debut, Sohail has one piece of advice: “He’s his own person. He’s going to find his own path, make his own mistakes and build his own career. The only thing I keep telling him is: be honest with yourself about why you want this. If it’s for the right reasons, the work will follow.”

Sohail shares, “That I’m someone who’s had it easy. Or that I’m ‘Salman’s brother.’ I’ve spent my career building things quietly, directing, producing, acting, without needing to be the loudest voice in the room.”

The controversy surrounding Kala Hiran, a film reportedly inspired by the 1998 blackbuck poaching case linked to actor Salman Khan, has taken a new turn. Producer Amit Jani has now issued a legal notice to actor Govind Namdev after the latter publicly distanced himself from the project.

Announcing the move on X on Monday, Amit said in Hindi that a legal notice had been served to Govind, demanding a public apology within seven days and Rs. 50 lakh for damages allegedly caused to the production house’s reputation.

The development comes days after Govind, who shared screen space with Salman in Wanted (2009), expressed his disapproval of the film. “We were never told that a character resembling Salman would be created and portrayed in this manner. There is a world of difference between what I was told and what has been made,” he had told Amar Ujala. On being contacted, Govind said he is not in a frame of mind to talk at the moment.

While Salman’s name is not explicitly mentioned in Kala Hiran, the teaser features a character named Ayaan Khan, whom many viewers believe bears a resemblance to the actor.

Meanwhile, Salman moved the Delhi High Court On June 12 seeking a stay on the film’s release. In the plea, the actor argued that Kala Hiran appears to be based on allegations associated with him and violates an earlier court order protecting his personality rights.

Actor Salman Khan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate stay on the production, promotion and release of Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy, alleging that the film violates his personality and publicity rights.

According to India Today, Salman has claimed that the film is inspired by the 1998 blackbuck poaching case involving him and that its posters, teaser and promotional material clearly identify the actor. He has alleged that the makers used a lookalike sporting his signature bracelet and referenced him to generate publicity for the project.

The petition names producer Amit Jani, Jani Firefox Films, Akshay Pandey and others. Salman has argued that the film could prejudice ongoing legal proceedings and cause irreparable damage to his reputation and goodwill.

The actor has sought an injunction against the film’s production, promotion, release, streaming and circulation of related content. The matter is expected to come up before the Delhi High Court shortly. The move comes weeks after Salman’s legal team sent a notice to the makers, alleging that the project is based on his ongoing blackbuck case. Responding to the notice earlier this month, producer Amit Jani denied the allegations, stating that the film is based on information available in the public domain and focuses on the Bishnoi community’s efforts to protect wildlife. 

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The Bombay High Court observed on Thursday that social media does not give anyone the right to post defamatory content while hearing Salman’s appeal in his dispute with Panvel neighbour Ketan Kakkad. The court urged Kakkad to consider deleting posts against the actor and posted the matter for July 6.

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In a separate development, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has stayed proceedings against Salman in a complaint linked to an allegedly misleading pan masala advertisement. The matter will next be heard on June 22.

Manali done, now Mumbai is calling out to Salman Khan and Nayanthara. Sources have told mid-day that the two actors are set to kick off the next schedule of their yet-untitled film, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, on June 10 in the Maximum City.

What’s on the agenda? To film critical action blocks that have been envisioned against the city’s locations. “The team will shoot across multiple outdoor locations in and around Bandra because the sequences require the texture and scale of an urban setting. The sequences, featuring both leads, include chases, vehicle-based action, close-quarter combat, and crowd-heavy moments,” revealed a source.

Producer Dil Raju and the director have also lined up a key set-piece involving Khan. An insider shared, “It’s one of the film’s major action pieces. It begins as a pursuit and gradually escalates into a confrontation.”

After Mumbai, the unit will head to Hyderabad in July for the next leg.

Actor Salman Khan has sent a legal notice to the makers of Kala Hiran: The Battle For Legacy, a film widely perceived to draw inspiration from the actor’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case, a controversy that has remained in the spotlight over the years and resurfaced recently amid threats linked to the Bishnoi community.

The actor has sought a halt to the film’s release and demanded the immediate removal of its posters and promotional material. According to reports, the notice warns of further legal action if the demands are not complied with. The film is directed by Bharat S Shrinate and produced by Amit Jani. The makers unveiled the film’s first-look poster earlier this week.

On Tuesday, producer Amit Jani, reacting to the legal notice, maintained, “This is not a Salman Khan biopic. The film is based on a larger story involving the Bishnoi community, their struggle, and their deep connection with wildlife... I have not shown Salman Khan in a negative light, nor have I glorified Lawrence Bishnoi. The film presents what is already available in the public domain. Only the poster has been released. The teaser is yet to come. Sending a legal notice at this stage, without any discussion, was unnecessary,” he told India Today.

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Salman Khan’s legal team has sent a notice to the makers of a proposed film titled Kala Hiran, stating that the project could damage his reputation and interfere with the ongoing case before the Rajasthan High Court.

The notice states that Salman has never authorised the project and has no connection with those involved in making it: “Your actions falsely suggest a nexus or association with our client, when in fact, there exists none.”

The notice also mentions that the proposed film is defamatory because it allegedly portrays the actor in a negative light while the case is still pending before the Rajasthan High Court. It further states that these actions may amount to an offence under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and that Salman reserves the right to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against those involved. The notice, addressed to casting director Akshay Pandey, demands that all work on the film be stopped immediately. It also seeks an unconditional written apology from those involved.

The film’s producer, Amit Jani, posted on social media that people associated with the Kala Hiran movie are being intimidated with the legal notice issued by Salman’s team, while the actor’s legal team refused to comment on the notice.

The notice states, “To our client’s shock and dismay, it has come to his attention that you are developing a cinematographic work, tentatively titled Kala Hiran, purportedly inspired by or based on the so-called ‘black buck incident’, associated with our client. It is understood that you have been approaching actors for acting in the proposed film while representing that its storyline is inspired by the said case, and that you have circulated materials pertaining to the film, including but not limited to the synopsis, character sketches, etc.”

Another issue raised in the notice concerns personality rights. The legal team argues that even if Salman’s name is not used directly, any character or storyline that points to him could amount to a violation of his rights.

The notice states, “The proposed film including its synopsis and character sketches, is clearly identifiable and referable to our client and events associated with our client. Any such depiction, whether direct or indirect of our client’s persona, identity, and/or events allegedly connected to our client, without his authorization or consent would amount to a violation of our client’s personality rights, right to privacy and right to publicity.”

Excerpts from Salman’s legal notice to the makers of Kala Hiran further reads, “The proposed film is defamatory in nature. The proposed film contains and is intended to convey false, misleading and derogatory imputations concerning our client, including insinuations of culpability in relation to the said case, which as mentioned hereinabove, remains sub-judice... You have deliberately sensationalized the said case, and it is evident that the same is an attempt to stir up controversy and make headlines to grab the attention of the general public, at the cost of our client’s goodwill and reputation. Our client further states that reputation and goodwill are inseparable elements of an actor and play a critical role in the life and business.”

Remixes are often followed by a clash of opinions. Last week, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who voiced the original Chunnari Chunnari from Biwi No 1 (1999), criticised the recreated version in Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. When mid-day contacted Akshay Raheja and I P Singh, who composed the remix, they viewed the singer’s reaction as part of the territory that comes with revisiting a popular number.

Singh said, “These are senior people. Their comments are coming from their personal experience and we respect that. Anu Malik sir [who scored the original] loved it. If Abhijeet sir didn’t like it, what can we do? We can only ask for their aashirwaad. Hum bachche hain; we’ve come here to give our fresh perspective on the track.”

In sharp contrast to Bhattacharya’s opinion, the duo claimed that Biwi No 1’s leading man Salman Khan has endorsed their reinterpretation. While they haven’t spoken directly to the superstar, Singh revealed, “From what I know, Salman sir has given his blessing to the song. That means a lot to us.”

The duo’s brief was to introduce Chunnari Chunnari to the young audience while preserving the original’s soul. Raheja explained, “When we are reimagining songs, the idea is to honour the original composition. We need to keep its integrity alive.”

Singh added, “In the 1990s, there was a wave of reimagining songs from the 1970s and 1980s. I discovered so many tracks through those versions. Now if we can take [the 1990s] songs to Gen Z listeners and evoke in them the feeling we experienced when we first heard them, that’s wonderful.”

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