In 2011, producer Arbaaz Khan announced that the sequel’s script did not allow him to cast Sonu in the villain’s role, and they roped in southern star Prakash Raj instead.

"It was a creative call of the director and the script needed someone else but I am still part of the family. I wish I could have been part of ‘Dabangg 2’, but the script demanded someone else," Sonu told IANS.

However, what’s good is that Sonu’s absence from the sequel has not strained his friendly terms with Salman Khan, the star of the movie.

"Salman and I are still together. We are still very good friends. A film is a very small thing to rip us apart," he added.

This year Sonu will be seen in a cop’s role.

"My next film will be with Naseeruddin Shah. It is titled ‘Maximum’. I am playing a cop in the film. The film is based in Mumbai," he said.