• Monday, March 31, 2025

Entertainment

“The hero of the film is the film itself” – Salman Khan on stardom and success

Bollywood actor Salman Khan with Rashmika Mandanna (R) attends trailer launch of their upcoming film ‘Sikandar’ in Mumbai on March 23, 2025. (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL / AFP) (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images)

By: Vibhuti Pathak

As Salman Khan approaches his 60th birthday on December 27, 2025, the Bollywood superstar remains as energetic and passionate about his craft as ever. According to him, age is just a number, and it’s the combination of experience and enthusiasm that truly matters. Salman, whose latest film Sikandar releases this Sunday, believes he is in better shape and more confident in his work than ever before.

“Sixty and all doesn’t matter. Today, the way I train and work is far better than when I was in my 20s, 30s, or even 40s. I don’t feel the age at all. In fact, things are easier and better now,” he said in an interview with PTI.

Having started his career with Biwi Ho To Aisi in 1988, Salman shot to stardom with Maine Pyar Kiya the following year. Over three decades later, his stardom remains intact, proving that enthusiasm, combined with experience, can sustain success in the highly competitive world of Bollywood.

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Salman believes that life experiences, coupled with continuous learning, contribute to long-term success. He insists that his passion for cinema has only grown with time, making him more invested in every project he takes on.

“With experience comes a deeper understanding of people, work, and life itself. And instead of fading, my enthusiasm has only increased. This combination of enthusiasm and experience is the best in the world,” he added.

The superstar aims to harness this powerful combination in his upcoming projects, ensuring that his work continues to evolve and entertain audiences.

Salman Khan is one of the industry’s most successful actors, with films like Karan Arjun, Andaz Apna Apna, Judwaa, Dabangg, Ek Tha Tiger, and Sultan to his credit. Alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, he has defined Bollywood for decades, setting box office records and maintaining an unmatched fan following.

However, Salman is quick to acknowledge that Bollywood is evolving, with younger actors like Vicky Kaushal making a mark. While the Khans still draw massive audiences, Salman emphasizes that a film’s true success lies in its story and execution.

“The hero of the film is not Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, or Akshay Kumar. The real hero is the film itself. If a film is well made and connects with audiences, it will succeed. If not, even the biggest stars can’t guarantee success,” he explained.

Salman’s filmography is filled with commercial successes, but some of his earlier films, like Andaz Apna Apna and Love, didn’t perform well upon release. However, with time and the rise of OTT platforms, these films have gained cult status.

“I really loved Love, but it didn’t do well at the box office. The same happened with Andaz Apna Apna, which is now a cult classic,” he recalled.

Salman’s dominance at the box office is particularly evident with his Eid releases, including Wanted, Dabangg, Bodyguard, Kick, Sultan, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, all of which were massive hits.

His latest film, Sikandar, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, sees Salman in a familiar action-hero avatar, taking on a corrupt system while fighting for the rights of ordinary citizens. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar releases in theaters this Sunday.

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As Salman enters his 60s, he shows no signs of slowing down. With his passion intact and experience on his side, the superstar continues to redefine longevity in Bollywood.

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