In December 2025, Salman Khan will turn 60, but for more than a quarter of that phase (2009 onwards for the media, but in actual fact from the 1997 Judwaa), Salman Khan’s Eid connection is almost sacred to his frenzied fans. This year, in a rare case, his latest Eid release, Sikandar, is now looking at a Gudi Padwa (New Year for Maharashtra and equivalent in many other states) release on a Sunday, March 30, instead of the originally planned March 28. Eid is set to be observed, as per the sighting of the moon, on either March 31 or April1.
The press meets up with the actor in Mumbai’s Taj Land’s End Hotel, and his sense of humor, innate warmth, frank honesty and aura dominates the evening. We do not discuss his new heroine, Rashmika Mandanna, as he has said enough about her at the trailer launch earlier, but get down to other aspects of his film, and career of 36 years.
On Mass Cinema
“I personally do films whose first narration I like, and do not think mass or class. The distinctions between such cinemas have blurred fast! We now hear whistles and applause even in multiplexes. But those who, in the past and even now, are ready to pay even a thousand rupees or more by buying single-screen tickets in black, still prefer those theatres because they can really enjoy a film there with that atmosphere! With that price, they could have watched a movie at a multiplex, right?”
On price-capping in multiplexes, and more cinema halls
“A Karnataka-style price cap on movie tickets across the country should be there, with a price cap on popcorn and beverages as well. Also, a minimum of 20,000 more theatres are needed in India. In Rajasthan, when we were shooting for Bajrangi Bhaijaan in a place named Mandawa, the nearest movie hall was two-and-a-half hours away!”
On competition to Sikandar in multiplexes
“I appeal to multiplex owners to increase the salary of their employees this month so that they can watch Sikandar, L2 Empuraan and Jaat!! I love Mohanlal as an actor. And Prithviraj Sukumaran is directing L2 Empuraan. I think it’s going to be an excellent film. I would like to appeal to all multinational companies that they should increase the salaries of their employees too. Unnko bonus bhi de dena chahiye (they should also be given a bonus)!”
(L2 Empuraan has released on March 27, while Jaat starring Sunny Deol releases on April 10.)
On his Sikandar director A.R. Murugadoss
“Action without emotion never made sense. A.R. Murugadoss made sure of that in Aamir Khan’s film (Ghajini) as well as Akshay Kumar’s (Holiday). Murugadoss believes in that, and I know you tell me what Akshay Kumar said, that Murugadoss is all the time thinking of new ways of showing action! In our film, action dominates, but it is the kind of action based on emotion!”
On South directors
“I was the first actor from my generation to work with a whole lot of South directors like Suresh Krishna (Love, Jaagruti), K. Murali Mohan Rao (Bandhan, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye) and K.S. Adhiyaman (Hum Tumhaare Hain Sanam, Shaadi Kar Ke Phas Gaye Yaar).” (Revathy, Ahathian, Priyadarshan, Prabhudheva and Siddique followed before A.R. Murugadoss) “Technically and emotionally, they are very advanced. And they don’t make films inspired by other films! They bring their own, and usually new, things into their movies.”
On what went wrong with his now shelved-film with Atlee
“I think the budget and scale were not feasible. I could have done two or three films in place of that.”
On his comradeship with South’s iconic stars
“Taarak (NTR Jr.), Prithviraj, Ram Charan—they have all grown up in front of me. I know Venkatesh really well for more than 30 years. Chiru (Chiranjeevi)-garu and I did a Thums Up (a beverage) ad together. I think they have all enjoyed my films, and I admire their work today. But it’s not as if all films there are well-made, or do good business. Like anywhere else, a good film will work. The South filmmakers also respect me because I am Salim-saab’s son. They have made a lot of films inspired by my dad’s stories. K.V. Vijayendra Prasad-ji (S.S. Rajamouli’s father and writer) told me, ‘Whenever I write something, I have to revisit your father’s films and then I start writing’. Dad has earned a lot of respect down South because of the heroism he inculcated in cinema.”
On death threats from the Bishnoi gang
“Bhagwan, Allah…sab unnpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yehi hai (God, Allah…everything is up to Him. Whatever lifespan is written for me, that’s it). Sometimes, having to move with so many people (his security) becomes the only issue”.
On why he has only done action films of late
“If I do comedy, it must be of the level of No Entry or Andaz Apna Apna. There are talks about the latter film now. If it is made, I am sure that Rajkumar Santoshi will do a fantastic job.”
On what we can expect next from him
“I am considering which, of the two projects I have liked, to take up next. And yes, a film with Sooraj R. Barjatya is on the cards after he finishes something he is already doing.”
(Used with permission from NIT)
