Salman Khan is easily one of the most beloved and well-paid actors. On his 58th birthday, during a press conference, the actor gave away a glimpse of his style of selecting a movie to go with. He said, “I have to like it in the first narration”. He also shared a few details of his struggles way before he stepped into Bollywood.
Salman Khan faced a dry spell after Maine Pyar Kiya
Salman Khan is not only India’s beloved actor but he is also one of the richest personalities. As of today, our Bhaijaan charges Rs. 100 crores for doing a movie plus a whopping 70% share in the profits. But this was not always the case. He was jobless after delivering the iconic Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) from which he earned Rs. 75, 000 at the time.
During a press conference before the release of Tiger 3, Salman Khan spilled the beans on his initial struggles in the industry as well as the process of selecting a movie today.
“People say that we will put in all the work after we get the film. All these things, I have done much before I came into the industry. The four-five years of struggle that I had before I came into the industry, before I did films like Maine Pyar Kiya and Biwi Ho To Aisi. After that also, whenever I sign a movie, I have to like it in the first narration. If I like a film, I shift that film before my other projects. And the projects that I have postponed, they will likely not happen. Until that time, I won’t sign another film. That is what I usually concentrate on.”
When a God-like person saved Salman’s career
Salman Khan hosted the IIFA Awards 2022. During the function, he broke into tears, admitting to facing a dry spell after Maine Pyar Kiya. He also revealed how Bhagyashree, his co-star, took all the credit when she decided to quit Bollywood after the movie. The time was tough on him but then came along a person who allegedly saved his career.
“After Maine Pyar Kiya was released, Bhagyashree decided she didn’t want to work anymore, because she wanted to get married. Aur wo pura credit leke chali gayi (she went away with all the credit). For six months, I had no movie. And that’s when a devta saman aadmi (a God-like man), Ramesh Taurani, entered my life. My father at that point of time paid Rs 2000 and coaxed producer GP Sippy to make a fake announcement in a film industry magazine that he had signed me for a film. GP did that but there was no picture. But Ramesh Taurani went to Sippy’s office and paid Rs 5 lakh for the music of the film. It was because of those Rs 5 lakhs that I finally got a film called Patthar Ke Phool (1991). Thank you!”
Friends in need are friends indeed
At the same function, Salman also revealed how friends like Suniel Shetty and Boney Kapoor helped him on his journey from a jobless actor to becoming one of the busiest actors in B Town.
Where Suniel Shetty gifted him with a wallet and a shirt which Salman had been meaning to buy for a long time, Boney Kapoor gifted him with movies like Wanted and No Entry. According to Salman, Wanted was his comeback whereas No Entry was Anil Kapoor’s.