They’ve had two back-to-back hits together. Both Dabangg (2010) and its sequel, Dabangg 2 (2012) made over Rs. 100 crore at the box office, and both saw the Khan brothers team up. While Salman was, of course, the lead actor, Arbaaz produced both the films, and even directed the sequel. Now, however, it seems, Arbaaz must prove his mettle as a filmmaker sans his famous elder brother’s association.

Sources suggested that Salman has made a deliberate decision to not be involved in Arbaaz’s production, featuring Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma. The superstar brother — largely credited for the success of the Dabangg series — wants Arbaaz to make all the creative decisions himself.

And, according to sources from the sets, Salman has indeed stayed true to his word. Nearly 60% of the film has been shot (it is scheduled to be completed by mid-June) and Salman hasn’t even so much as dropped by on the sets.

Ask Arbaaz how he feels about not having Salman involved at all in his film, and he says, “It’d great if he could be part of all my films,  but that’s not possible. I will have to make films without him, and that will be a great experience for me. Of course, he’s there whenever I need him; the same goes for my father (veteran writer Salim Khan) and Sohail (Khan; brother, also producer). If you ask me whether I miss him, yes I do.”

Arbaaz says he hasn’t consulted Salman at all this time around. “We all make independent decisions, and want to do things in our own way… It’s not as if we run to each other for every second decision.”