Dabangg

Chulbul Pandey is a crude but charming police officer whose rough childhood and tense home life shape how he does his job. Growing up with a volatile relationship to his younger half brother and a stern stepfather, he learns to use street smarts to defend the vulnerable. On duty, he mixes bravado with sharp one liners, courting trouble and bending rules when the end justifies the means. When a corrupt political figure tightens his grip on the city and corruption runs through the system, Chulbul decides to draw a line in the sand in his own unorthodox way. The clash tests loyalties at home and forces him to decide what kind of officer he wants to be. Overall lighthearted.

Released in 2010, Dabangg was directed by Abhinav Kashyap as his feature debut. It draws on an original screenplay crafted by Dilip Shukla, Faaiz Anwar, and Jalees Sherwani, presenting a fresh take on the standard action masala template for audiences.

The film performed well at the global box office, especially in India, considering its modest budget. It helped establish Salman Khan's on screen persona and set the stage for a popular franchise style of masala cinema in the following years.

Dabangg left a mark on popular culture with Chulbul Pandey's swagger and the film's signature lines that fans still quote. The hit song Munni Badnaam Hui and high energy action helped define a new era of Indian masala cinema and fan devotion, influencing later films and inspiring several copycat films.

Reception to Dabangg praised its mass appeal and Salman's magnetic performance, with critics noting the balance of humor and brisk action. The film treats loyalty, family bonds, and fighting corruption as core themes, wrapped in tight pacing, crowd pleasing set pieces, and a distinctly local flavor that resonated widely everywhere.