Sallu's driver thrashed by locals

It's something that he just can't seem to avoid, and we've seen it all, from shooting black bucks in Rajasthan to running over pavement dwellers in Mumbai. This time, though, the altercation in Panchgani --where Dabangg 2 is being filmed on location -- that wound up in the police station had the superstar missing from the picture.

Police officers with Panchgani police station told Mirror that a bodyguard and driver working for Salman got into a road rage brawl with local residents, and that the actor was not present in the car when the incident took place.

Sources said Salman wanted to take in more of the scenic locales and decided to take some time off from the shooting schedule to visit nearby villages and hilly areas. The film crew has been stationed in Satara district's Sangam Mahuli village near Panchgani since some time now.

Salman, accompanied by his bodyguard Rodrigues and his driver, set out in a Toyota Innova in the afternoon to Bhilarwadi, around 20 km from Panchgani town. After several hours of sightseeing, Salman decided to turn back to Sangam Mahuli village around 6.30 pm. On the way, the mists rolled in and Salman apparently wanted to ride a bike.

Keeping with his wishes, his motorbike was brought to him on the highway from the film shoot location. A delighted Salman took off, leaving Rodrigues and the driver to get the Innova back to Sangam Mahuli village. It was on the way back that the duo ran into trouble.

Sources said the driver was going slow as the mists had got worse, but a jeep with locals that was travelling behind them wanted to overtake. Salman's driver reportedly did not speed up nor give the jeep a chance to move ahead, which incensed the jeep's occupants.

After a short distance, the jeep overtook the Innova and forced it to stop. A heated exchange took place between both sides, in which Salman's driver was thrashed by the jeep's occupants.

Both parties then rushed to Panchgani police station to lodge their respective complaints against each other.

Assistant Police Inspector Rajendra Bokade of Panchgani PS told Mirror that both parties had approached him, but no case had been registered till late night.

Ali Daruwalla, spokesperson, Pune Petrol Dealers' Association and a close friend of the crew members including producer Monty Sharma and Salman Khan, said, "The matter is with the police.

Local residents beat up Salman's driver and bodyguard. However, the shooting of Dabangg 2 will continue.

However, the crew will be taking more precautions and some restrictions on movement would be imposed to avoid similar instances. Salman is safe and fine."

Addl SP (Satara) Amol Tambe-Patil said, "The case is yet to be registered. We can comment only after that happens."