Mumbai (Maharashtra), [India], March 27 (ANI): During an open conversation with the press at the promotion event for his forthcoming movie ' Sikandar ', Bollywood superstar Salman Khan discussed various important subjects such as his views on the Southern Indian cinema sector, the changing landscape of Bollywood, and the obstacles encountered, particularly concerning financial planning and narrative development.
Khan highlighted how changes in cinema involve shifting dynamics such as growing fandoms, emotionally engaging narratives, and the financial aspects of film production, all of which play pivotal roles in molding the sector.
When questioned regarding how Bollywood movies fare in the Southern Indian market, Salman acknowledged that his films struggle significantly when it comes to gaining popularity there.
"I have a massive fan base in the southern region, but despite their great affection for me, my movies don’t consistently perform well at the box office when they premiere there," stated Salman.
He highlighted that the distinctive charm of South Indian cinema stems from its deep-rooted locality and cultural ties, making it challenging for Bollywood movies to achieve comparable success even with the increasing number of nationwide releases.
Salman Khan emphasized the notable contrast in how South Indian films have been received in Bollywood versus the opposite scenario.
"South Indian actors like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Suriya, and others have huge fan bases even within Bollywood, and people flock to watch their movies. However, this isn’t always reciprocated," Salman stated.
Although Southern actors have found success in Bollywood, Salman pointed out that Hindi movies frequently fail to garner similar levels of popularity and commercial returns in the South.
The discussion later moved to the evolving scene of Indian movies and the rising significance of nationally appealing productions.
Salman discussed how budgets play a crucial part in big-budget movies and emphasized the significance of developing narratives that resonate with a wide-ranging viewers.
"Movies like Pushpa and others demonstrate how cinema from a single region can captivate audiences nationwide. However, producing films of this magnitude demands significant financial backing along with a screenplay that resonates across the country," the megastar stated.
He recognized the duty that moviemakers bear when creating these films, particularly considering the increasing expenses associated with them.
Salman Khan did not hesitate to criticize Bollywood's financial strategies, especially concerning its inflated budgets.
He stated, 'We are completely off track with our budgets. Once we manage to reign that in, things will improve.'
He further stated that in modern filmmaking, numerous choices are driven by producer rivalry instead of concentrating on fulfilling the audience's requirements.
Salman feels that at the heart of cinema is crafting powerful narratives that deeply connect with audiences on an emotional level—a aspect that has often been neglected in the pursuit of spectacle.
Salman further emphasized that contemporary filmmakers tend to focus more on demonstrating their skills as directors and producers, frequently neglecting the primary purpose of filmmaking: entertaining the viewers.
Salman emphasized that directors and producers should create movies for the viewers rather than solely satisfying their own egos. The focus ought to be on crafting an engaging narrative instead of merely trying to outdo others technologically.
Salman Khan Additionally, they tackled the contentious topic of nepotism in Bollywood, dismissing the idea of achieving success through individual effort alone.
He stated, 'There is no concept of being entirely self-made; every aspect of life involves collaboration.'
Salman pondered over his family’s history within the entertainment sector, observing that his dad’s journey was profoundly influenced by his grandfather, a notable personality in Bollywood.
Salman points out that the concept of "nepotism" has consistently existed within the industry, and it's important to recognize that everyone's path is shaped by the individuals surrounding them.
"Critics often condemn favoritism within families, yet upon closer inspection, one realizes that most people leverage their networks in various ways. My dad didn’t begin his journey in Mumbai as someone with nothing; he benefited from his father’s backing, being well-known in the field," Salman clarified, emphasizing how familial ties and heritage significantly influence numerous careers beyond just Hollywood.
Earlier, at the trailer launch event of the movie, the film's director, AR Murugadoss, also talked about working with Salman Khan on ' Sikandar ", an adrenaline-fueled movie set to premiere on March 30, 2025.
Murugadoss, famous for his involvement in hit movies such as 'Ghajini,' recounted the sentimental story of his initial meeting with Salman.
Reflecting on his time as an assistant director, Murugadoss shared that a serendipitous encounter with Salman in Chennai had a profound impact on him.
At the time, I was merely an Assistant Director, yet that instant convinced me that someday, I would take on the role of director. Salman Khan ," Murugadoss recalled.
Salman also shared his thoughts on collaborating with Murugadoss, commending the director's commitment to challenging him beyond his comfort zone, particularly during the strenuous action scenes in ' Sikandar ' which also features Rashmika Mandanna as the leading actress.
"Murugadoss consistently motivated me to deliver my finest performance, particularly during the action scenes. It was a demanding but fulfilling experience," stated Salman.
As fate would have it, Murugadoss expressed his desire to work with Bollywood’s third Khan, Shah Rukh Khan.
"Collaborating with Aamir and Salman has been an incredible experience, yet working with Shah Rukh Khan remains my ultimate aspiration," Murugadoss stated, admitting that teaming up with all three Khans had always been on his wish list. (ANI)