Salman Khan is completely mad, says 'Dabangg' director Abhinav Kashyap

For debutant director Abhinav Kashyap, being director Anurag Kashyap’s brother comes with its set of advantages and disadvantages, the latter being more apparent in this case.

“People are always comparing us and the kind of cinema we make. To be free of any comparisons, I deliberately chose to start my career with a mainstream film that would get me more visibility,” he says.

Says Abhinav, “I have grown up watching Salim-Javed films so when I gave a narration to Salman he loved it.”

The first thing that strikes you about Abhinav is his similar looks to his brother Anurag. And he says that they are pretty much like each other too. “We are exactly like each other and I love the kind of movies he makes. I have seen each of his films 20 times, my favourite being Dev D followed by Gulaal.”

“I don’t work on references. I am a writer first and I believe in original stories. My film is not lifted and inspired by anywhere,” says Abhinav vehemently denying reports about the film being inspired by Hollywood flicks.

Talking about Salman, he says, “I was apprehensive of what he might be like after hearing all sorts of stories about him but we had no problems working together. Salman is completely mad. I don’t think there is any other star in this country who can do what he can.”

In fact the director is so happy with Salman that he has decided to cast him in his next film too.

“I would want to cast him as Arbaaz has signed me on for another film but I will have to wait for two years until I get Salman to do my film,” saying so the director trails off.