Name games

Quirky names and a funny debate over royalty on the cards for Salman’s Dabangg.

Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg has a roll call of characters with quirky names, starting with Salman who answers to the call of Chulbul Pandey in the film.

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Arbaaz’s character in the film goes by the name of Makhi, short for Makhanchand. “I heard it somewhere and it stuck in my mind,” says director Abhinav Kashyap, adding that Sonu Sood’s name in the film is Cheedi Singh.

Apparently, actor Chunky Panday has demanded royalty because they have borrowed his initials for Sallu’s character. "I have 20 odd Pandey friends who I will send to Chunky for royalty," jokes Kashyap in retaliation.

“Pandey or Panday is a common surname in UP and I have a nephew whose nickname is Chulbul. I borrowed it because Salman’s character in the film has a ‘chulbula’ (naughty) side to him.

We’ve had enough of Rajs, Vijays and Vikrams.” And, what does Dabangg mean? “Fearless... it means someone who is not scared of anyone,” Kashyap says.