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.
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.