Salman Khan files defamation suit against critic Kamaal Rashid Khan for poor review

Kamaal Rashid Khan, or KRK, an Indian film-critic boasting over 750,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, has been sued by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan for defamation. The lawsuit follows KRK's review of Khan's new film, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, in which he heavily criticised what he considered a one-star-film, and a terrible acting job by the Bajrangi Bhaijaan star.

We first learnt of the lawsuit when KRK tweeted about it, where he actually thanked Khan for his lawsuit. He believed the action is a reflection of Khan's disappointment and dismay at the film's box office performance. In fact, he called it proof of that. He further argued how he was just doing his job, reviewing his film for his viewers, and Khan should do his, ie, make better films.

KRK wasn't just defensive about his review, he was also evidently disappointed by the suit. In a later tweet, he said, "I said so many times that I never review film of any producer, actor if he asks me to not review." Saying that since Khan is getting so affected by his reviews, he will no longer reviews his films.

KRK's 'last video' is dedicated to the lawsuit as well. He stood in front of his camera and spoke his heart out on the matter. It is clear that he feels this situation has been unfair because he was just doing his job.

"He [Salman Khan] thinks his movie was a hit, but because of my bad review, it became a super duper flop," he said mockingly.

He was heavily critical of Khan's attitude, asking if he expects reviewers to just say nice things about him. "You gave Disha Patni a role in the film, gave her money, of course she called you a bholu cute boy," he said, highlighting the age gap between the two, something he was very critical of in his review as well. "Should we also call you a bholu cute boy at 60? Have you no shame calling yourself that at this age?" he asked.

"I don’t have a problem with you or your films, I have a problem with your pride," said KRK. He said that Khan must do his work, as is expected of him, and let the critics do theirs, as is expected of them. However, he should not try and make a joke out of them.

"I'm not like other critics, that will say undeservingly good things to you for an interview. I will not do that," KRK said.

KRK's review of Radhe left most compliments for the end and thoroughly bashed different aspects of the film that he found to be below par. About the plot he said it's hysterical how three boys come to Mumbai for the first time and went around killing people while the police was left sleeping. He also thought it was hilarious how these 'new boys' in Mumbai knew the city too well, as if they had lived there all their lives.

Khan enters the first scene and goes kills hundreds of people in minutes, and his stunt double is too young, criticised KRK. The double's agile movements are overkill for an old Khan, and do not sit well at all, he said, making it too easy for the viewer to tell them apart.

Patni is a young model in the film, and when Khan meets her, he tells her he too is an aspiring model, indicating his age is between 20 to 22, which KRK found ridiculous. "She starts calling him abholu cute boy, and then for the rest of the film, she does only that," KRK commented. He found it problematic that Khan chose such a young actor to play alongside him. He also called the VFX job in the film laughable. He also thought Jackie Shroff was a fail in the film.

"This film is like coronavirus. The virus harms your lungs, and this movie your brain."

Giving the film a one-star review, he had a lot more to say, including some good things. He thought Patni did a good job with her role, understanding the limitations that probably came with it. Randeep Hooda, he felt, played a bad guy really well, though regretted the actor's desire to be a hero. KRK said it would be much better for his career to switch to playing negative roles since he's so good at playing them but doesn't see that happening.

And to sum it up for an average viewer, he said humorously, "If nothing else, at least the songs are good," as is the case with most masala Bollywood productions.

Should it even be legal for film stars to sue critics over their reviews?