Here's why Arbaaz Khan compares 'Dabangg' with the iconic 'Indiana Jones' franchise

Arbaaz Khan says "Dabangg" franchise is solely dependent on superstar Salman Khan and cant move forward with ar name.

As a third film in franchise is currently being shot which will see Salman reprise his role as a cop named Chulbul Pandey, Arbaaz said unlike James Bond spy films, team cant go looking for ar actor after every two odd years.

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"'Dabangg' is an actor-driven franchise. It took us seven years to make third part and we don't kw how much time it will take to make fourth one. It is dependent on one actor, Salman Khan. 

"It is t like a James Bond kind of series that you work with an actor for two years and n with someone else... character of Chulbul Pandey is evergreen and it will go on. Till time we have actor and we can do something with him wise, we will do it," Arbaaz, who has been associated with "Dabangg" both as an actor and filmmaker, told PTI in an interview. 

Drawing similarities between international blockbuster series such as Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky", Arbaaz said only Stallone can be Rocky and one else. 

"Similarly, Sanjay Dutt will be a part of  'Munna Bhai' series... I h heard y are getting Aamir Khan for it. I feel some franchises don't work like that, you need to have m throughout whole thing.

"When you are doing an 'Indiana Jones', you need to have Harrison Ford. w that he is old, franchise is t moving ahe. If you want to take it forward after a break, you will have to create a new Harrison Ford," he said.

"Dabangg" series started in 2010, where Salman played corrupt but fearless police officer Chulbul Pandey. film also marked Sonakshi Sinha's Bollywood debut. Directed by Abhinav Kashyap, film turned out to be a blockbuster. 

Two years later, makers came up with a sequel "Dabangg 2", which was helmed by Arbaaz.  third film is being directed by Prabhudheva. Arbaaz, who will reprise his role as Salman's on-screen bror Makkhi, said shoot is going well so far. 

"We finished first schedule on time. We have continuous schedules with very little time gap in between. Hopefully, we should wrap up by September as we want to tentatively release it by end of this year, which is in December," he said.

actor said he was unable to direct "Dabangg 3" as y wanted a new perspective this time. 

"We wanted a fresh person to do it this time. Also, I was busy with or things and I needed to focus on m. Besides, that re are or reasons which I can't discuss. Maybe (I will direct) next part."

Arbaaz currently hosts celebrity chat show "Pinch" for ZEE5 and is also looking forward to his digital debut "Poison" on same platform.