ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
The Khan-Dalous Salman Khan
Salman Khan: Bollywood's generous superstar, celebrated for his philanthropy, art, and unrivaled fan following.
_(cropped) (1).jpg)
Salman Khan / Wikipedia
If you are anywhere on the sets of a Salman Khan film, for an interview with anyone on the sets, you are offered a plate for lunch by bhai's team. If he knows you are on the sets, it doesn't matter if you are from a magazine that he doesn't speak to, it doesn't matter you are not there to see him - you will still be offered lunch.
Needless to say, you cannot refuse that lunch because refusing that would be refusing Bhai and no one has the guts to do that. But one doesn't have to trace long back to the beginning, when the times were different. When the term Bollywood's Khans was coined, it was almost always about Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan with Salman Khan at the teetering end, just about making it to the famed trio.
The comparisons were inevitable since they all made their debuts in the late 80s, and despite their instant popularity, they slowly, steadily got into their own groove. For every Dil Aamir had, Salman also had a Love, for every Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Shah Rukh had, Salman had a Hum Aapke Hain Koun! And yet, neither Aamir, nor Shah Rukh suffered the significant ups and downs that Salman Khan saw.
Despite consistently delivering superhits every year, Salman was not one of the most articulate and media friendly stars in B-town, as a result his accomplishments never saw the hype his contemporaries experienced. It was due to this that he often played the second fiddle.
His movies Andaz Apna Apna and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai never credited him for their success, because they were always perceived as Aamir's and Shah Rukh Khan's films, despite Salman having a significant role in both. But keeping bhai out of the league was also impossible. His films like Tere Naam turned things around, the fan base that Salman created with this one film remains faithful even today.
He is the only actor who has had a truck full of fans, emulating their favourite actor's hairstyle and cheering for him inside as well as outside the theatres. His star power rivals the aficionados down south who worship and build temples for their favourite heroes. The star power that Salman Khan enjoys, no one else does.
Shah Rukh whose Pathaan often shares screen space with Salman Khan's Tiger, stated in an interview that Salman is truly the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time) and his fan following surpasses everyone else's, including SRK's, he admitted, "Bhai ka fan toh main bhi hoon," (Even I am a fan of Bhai) Tere Naam did a lot more than just build a fan base for Bhai, it gave Salman a passion he never thought he would pursue.
Keeping with his character, Radhe Mohan, Salman started sketching and picked it up as a passion thereafter. Salman's artworks are particularly recognized for their large-scale canvases which often explore themes of hope, compassion, and social issues, drawing inspiration from figures like Mother Teresa. Despite the fact that he prefers keeping his art practice relatively private, he has showcased his work in exhibitions, with critics noting his use of unconventional techniques and materials like chains, plastic waste, and wood chips to enrich his pieces.
Being a philanthropist is not restricted to his artworks, Salman khan funds the education of 200 children at the Akshara High School in Mumbai and another 300 through Aseema, a Mumbai- based non-profit. The foundation supports the VEER Initiative, a program to train disabled people. In fact, the superstar was said to be spending over 90% of his income on charity works, and while that rumour earned him a lot of love, the actor is man enough to correct the misconception.
He shared on national television that it is true that he only touches 10% of his earnings on his personal expenses etc... hut it is not like 90% of it gues for charity. Part of his money is spent on his investments such as his clothes brand Being Human, SK 27 his gym equipment brand, he has also invested in FRSH, a wellness brand. However, he handles even these with his heart rather than his business acumen. His Being Human store has a provision to employ at least one differently abled person.
And once he is done with all these commitments, the remainder of his earnings is handled by his father, Salim Khan. His dad is often approached by a lot of people who are suffering from cancer and heart ailments as these are expensive treatments and many cannot afford the same. His Bandra apartment often has hordes of people, waiting with hope for some aide, and they are almost never disappointed. It is this kindness that makes him extremely popular amongst his fans and even the members of the industry.
This kindness is restricted to the genuine people only, Salman cannot bear the sight of liars, and it isn't beyond him to put them in place, like he did to Shark Tank investor Ashneer Grover, right on national television, recently. So one cannot help but wonder if it is his forthrightness that lands him in trouble with the ladies!
Salman has had an interesting line-up of ladies who he has allegedly been involved with. With names like Sangeeta Bijlani, Somi Ali, Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif - the list is drop-dead gorgeous. Given his luck with love, one wonders if his abrupt nature or forthrightness has resulted in his single status.
The question was once put forth to him and Bhai being bhai, responded to it on national television, in his typical drawl, "When the first one left, I thought the fault lies in her, when the second one left, I once again blamed her in my heart but slowly and steadily when everyone walked away one tends to realise that not all of them could have been wrong, perhaps the fault lies in me," with his characteristic shrug, he charmed the audience once again with that honesty.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
-1.jpg)
.png)
.png)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login