When Salman Khan rejected Garv calling it a 'Sunny Deol genre' film: 'Why have you come to me?'
(Also read: Salman Khan shuts down bad fitness claims, effortlessly climbs a tree to pick fresh berries. Watch)
Garv released in 2004 and saw Salman as cop, ACP Arjun Ranawat, for the first time. Puneet Issar in an interview with Digital Documentary disclosed how he convince Salman to step into the shoes of a cop which was a new space for him.
"Salman and I have been friends for a long time. We worked as actors for a long time. I had told him that I am writing something. He heard the story of Garv and he liked it very much but he told me, 'Why have you come to me with this?' He thought that the film was a Sunny Deol genre. Salman never used to do those kind of films," Puneet said.
Puneet said that he was eager to change Salman's image as he was known for doing romantic and comedy movies at the time.
'I told Salman, 'I want to break your image.' His image was that of a lover boy, more related to comedy. He had done films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Biwi No 1, Judwaa…he was a very big star but I told Salman that it is time for you to change your image. He liked the film's script and he agreed to do it. I feel actors are like wild horses, who will only allow those who knows how to ride a horse to sit on it. It was a pleasure working with Salman. He totally surrendered to the role. I am indebted to him that he made me a A-listed director. And after that he was a hit in police officer roles in films line Wanted, Dabangg," Puneet said.
Directed by Puneet Isaar, Garv also starred Shilpa Shetty, Arbaaz Khan, Amrish Puri and Anupam Kher in pivotal roles. Garv wasn't considered a box office hit, however, Salman's performance was appreciated by critics.
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Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Salman Khan's politics mirror Bajrangi's': Kabir Khan reflects on Bajrangi Bhaijaan's 10th anniversary, ‘heated discussions' with Bhai during shoot, potential sequel
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I don't think I've watched it in a couple of years. Are you doing anything special for the 10-year anniversary? Apart from a few social media posts and stuff, nothing really. But Salman and I have been talking about it. Even he is someone who doesn't make a fuss about anniversaries. He never likes to make it too much about himself. And the film is out there, it's received unprecedented love. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime films. For it to continue getting that kind of love for 10 years… I don't think many films can match that. That said, we did discuss a possible re-release. So many kids, even as young as six or seven, come up to Salman and me to talk about the film. We're talking about it. When you revisit Bajrangi Bhaijaan, are you able to view it objectively? Do you notice anything you'd do differently now? With any film, once you have a little distance, as a director, you're always looking at what could've been done better. Sometimes it's not about the emotional graph. As I'm happy with how the emotions played out, but I'll see a shot and think, 'Maybe the lighting could've been different,' or 'I should've edited that differently,' or 'The music should've started here.' Those little things. Every time you watch your own work, you can't help but criticise it. That said, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and 83 are two films where I feel I came very close to what I set out to do. That's rare. Especially when working with a star like Salman. I had done Ek Tha Tiger before that, and there were constraints during filming. But Bajrangi was a film that rose above its script. That's a magical feeling, when a film becomes greater than what you had written on paper. It doesn't happen often. Usually, your goal is just to come close to the script. It really feels like one of those films where everything just came together. Exactly. Every small character leaves a mark. Whether it's that Pakistani policeman slapping Salman, or the guy helping them cross the border, everyone brought something unique. It wasn't just the principal characters like Nawaz's or Harshaali's. That's when I knew something special was happening. Did you expect the emotional response it ended up receiving? Not at that level. I knew it was emotional, but I thought it'd be funnier than emotional. After the release, I visited theatres and saw people just sitting in their seats, not getting up. I realised they were trying to compose themselves. They were sobbing. That's when it hit me, this is really emotional. Even now, when I rewatch the last part, I get misty-eyed. And if I'm tearing up, then I can understand the impact it's had on audiences. Take me back to the origin, to 2013 or 2014. How did this Vijayendra Prasad's story even find you? After Ek Tha Tiger, I was getting a lot of calls from the South, big stars wanting me to do another action film. But I didn't want to repeat myself. I even stopped taking calls. Then a close friend told me that, V Vijayendra Prasad (Rajamouli's father), was trying to reach me. When I finally spoke to him, he narrated this idea. It was so simple, so much in my zone, that I thought, 'Why didn't I think of this?' He didn't have it on paper, it was all in his head. We met up, and he narrated it to me. The second half was a little sketchy, but the core idea struck me. I took that seed and built on it. And how did Salman come on board? During Tiger, I had seen how much he identified with what Bajrangi stood for. The politics of Salman as a person were very close to what Bajrangi's character stands for. Even though the character was the antithesis of what he was known for, as there was no action, no swashbuckling. It was a sweet, endearing character. And he got it immediately. He even said, 'This is a film that not too many people will want to produce. Because they'll expect something else from both of us. So let's produce it ourselves.' That's how it became his first home production. There were reports back then of creative differences. Are they true? People call it friction, but I find that a natural part of collaboration. If my lead actor isn't invested enough to offer suggestions or argue passionately, then something's wrong. We had discussions, sometimes heated ones, but always about improving the film. Aamir Khan has mentioned before that the film's concept initially came to him, but he suggested Salman would be a better fit. Can you tell us more about that? Before reaching out to me, Vijayendra Prasad had approached Aamir, who suggested they should go to Salman instead. But when it came to me, I was sure from the beginning that Salman was the right choice for the role. What was it like getting Kareena on board for the film? I always knew Rasika was a very small character, but she's the voice of reason in the film. And from day one, I was sure I wanted Kareena for it. When I went to meet her, I told her upfront: it's a small role, but you should listen to the entire narration before deciding. And by the time she heard the whole script, she was in tears. She said she absolutely wanted to be a part of it. Harshaali was a huge revelation. How did you cast her? Oh, that was extensive. We auditioned over 2,000 girls. My brief to Mukesh Chhabra was, don't restrict yourself to India, go to Iran, anywhere. She doesn't speak, so it's about the face, the presence. We found Harshaali in Delhi. When looked at her, and I knew she is the one. She was part of a workshop. With kids, it's not about how they act initially, it's about how they commit over time. And she had that spark. What about Nawazuddin Siddiqui? We had worked together in New York. I always wanted to cast him in something bigger. I had seen that Chand Nawab video years ago and made a mental note: I'll use this someday. I showed him the clip and said, 'This is your guy.' He immediately said yes. There were concerns from lawyers about naming the character Chand Nawab, but I stuck with it. The real Chand Nawab was thrilled, as he became a celebrity again! And he frequently messages me now with life updates. I also really loved Om Puri's character in the film. In many ways, along with Kareena's, he serves as the moral compass of the story. Was he always your first choice for the role? No, in fact, Om ji wasn't the first choice. I had initially gone to Naseer bhai, and he had really loved the script and the character. But for some reason, it didn't work out eventually. That's when I approached Om ji, and he instantly agreed. The man who helps them cross the border, Boo Ali, is memorable too. What's his casting story? Ah yes, it's a beautiful story of how he came on board. His real name is Mursaleen Qureshi. He came to Mumbai from a small town in Rajasthan, against everyone's advice. The day he arrived, he walked into Mukesh Chhabra's office, saw an open audition, and gave it a shot. By 5:30 that evening, I saw his test, and he was cast. That's how unpredictable and magical this industry can be. The film says so much, but it's never preachy. It's deeply political, and also full-on masala. Yeah. That's always been the challenge. To make a film that's entertaining at face value, and for those who get it, it has deeper political meaning. Bajrangi got that balance right. Also Read | Bajrangi Bhaijaan director Kabir Khan: 'If we didn't get the right Munni, the film wouldn't be half what it is today…' Watching it again now, the first half feels almost like a document of what India was about to become — rising intolerance, lynching, aggressive nationalism… Exactly. A lot has been written about the India-Pakistan angle, but for me, Bajrangi is about borders within. That chicken song, for example, it's fun and quirky, but also deeply political. Kids love it, but adults get the subtext. There's that line Om Puri says: 'Thoda sa humare paas bhi hai Kashmir.' Were you worried about including it, given how easily things are misread? No. I wasn't thinking too much back then. I just followed my heart. But you're right, today, people judge a film before watching it. But back then, not one person said the film was offensive. Although there was a line the censors wanted me to cut, when Om Puri says 'Jai Shri Ram' to Salman as he's seeing them off. They thought it might upset people, especially the Muslim population. But I fought for it. I remember watching the film at Gaiety Galaxy, one of the most quintessential single-screen experiences in Mumbai. The theatre, packed with Muslim blue-collar workers from Bandra, erupted in cheers when that line came. It was the clearest sign that everyone who doubted it was wrong. You could see how deeply the moment landed with them. Could this film be made today? I'm not sure. Honestly, I don't know. These days, assumptions turn into controversies before a film even releases. But back then, not a single person found it provocative. So could I make it again today? Maybe. Maybe not. I love how the film subverts the masala format, especially in how it avoids having a traditional villain, especially when the binaries between good and bad are usually so clearly defined in a typical masala film. I believe a character cannot be black and white, right? Like, how can one person be purely black? We do usually call someone evil. But I feel people we think are doing evil, in their mind, they're not. They believe in what they're doing. So it's a question of being able to explore that. Everyone has a backstory. Everyone has compulsions. And that's what we're trying to explore as much as possible. It's also about redefining what a villain is. Like in New York, that film is actually very political, but there's no one villain. The villain is the paranoia. A country got caught up in something, and that becomes the villain. I think the closest you've come to writing a conventional villain is probably in Phantom, which released just a year after. And in many ways, its politics were the antithesis of Bajrangi. See, even in Phantom, there's no one person who is evil. It's the deep state that's the villain. And the fact that it came just after Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which had very different tones, there was no contradiction for me. A lot of people, even friends who write, said, 'How come you made Bajrangi and then this?' But I said, 'Listen, I've always been very opposed to the deep state of Pakistan that conducts terrorism.' We all agree on that. But I've never equated them with the people of Pakistan. So, for me, there was no contradiction. I was attacking the deep state, not the people. I'm really fascinated by opening credits in your film. Bajrangi Bhaijaan begins over the mountain landscapes of Kashmir, and it reminded me of how even New York and Ek Tha Tiger also open with sweeping shots of locations that play a major role in the story. Is that a conscious visual signature for you? Actually, now I've almost stopped using opening credits in my films. Bajrangi does have them though. For me, it's about mood, setting the tone. Locations are characters in my films. I don't use them as backdrops. These stories can happen only in those places. Kabul Express can only happen in Kabul. New York, obviously, only there. You put that story in Sydney or London, it just won't work. Because 9/11 didn't happen there. Illegal detentions didn't happen there. So for Bajrangi, I knew the film begins in Kashmir. I thought, let's go from the widest shot I can find and slowly move into the close shot where the story begins. It's also, in a way, a reflection of my love for the mountains. I've always been a mountain person. I've spent months trekking, especially in Kashmir. So, it was a natural choice. The story begins in a village in the mountains, and I wanted to literally zoom in from there. There was no big intellectual reasoning, just a feeling. You've said you don't want to do sequels, but there's talk of a Bajrangi sequel. Is it happening? There's a lot of pressure to make sequels to my films, especially something like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which is obviously one of the most loved films of the last 10–20 years. So yes, we're exploring it. Salman and I are very clear about one thing, and I'm really happy we're in sync on this, we know what this film means in the public consciousness. We know the kind of love it has. It's become a kind of cult film. And look, in this day and age, every other franchise is being milked. Just use the name and it sells. It would be foolish not to explore what's possibly one of the biggest franchises. But we are very clear: we won't do it for the wrong reasons. We'll only make a sequel if the story excites us the way the first one did. Otherwise, I'd rather let it stay as a beautiful memory in people's minds than risk tainting its legacy. I don't want people to say, 'They just made this to cash in.' That would be painful. But having said that, both Salman and I keep racking our brains, what could be a worthy successor to Bajrangi? It might feature the same characters moving forward. Or it might just be a spiritual sequels: same tone, different story.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Salman Khan reveals his role in Battle of Galwan is physically demanding: 'In Sikandar, the action was different'
Salman Khan is gearing up for the release of his next movie, 'Battle of Galwan'. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia , revolves around the fierce 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Salman recently shared how physically demanding his character is in the movie. Salman Khan talks about his role in Battle of Galwan 'It is physically demanding. Every year, every month, every day it gets more and more difficult. I have to give more time now. Earlier, I would manage it in one or two weeks, but now I'm running, kicking, punching, and doing all that stuff. This film demands that. For instance, in Sikandar, the action was different, the character was different. But this is physically difficult—especially shooting in Ladakh, at high altitudes and in cold water,' he told PTI. Salman admitted he was initially excited about the concept but acknowledged the tough conditions ahead. 'I have 20 days in Ladakh and then seven to eight days in cold water. We will be shooting this month,' he added. Salman is known for bringing his films to the big screen during Eid, but this time he admitted that Battle of Galwan will grace theatres in January. Priyanka Chopra Jonas joins India's Janata Curfew 'in spirit' from LA; Mini Mathur calls FIR against singer Kanika Kapoor a 'witch-hunt', and more... Khan also confirmed that a follow-up to his 2015 blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan is currently in development. Salman Khan's recent release Sikandar Salman Khan's last film, Sikandar, which hit theatres during Eid (30 March), did not perform well at the box office. The movie, directed by AR Murugadoss, had created a lot of buzz prior to its release, but it failed to resonate with his fans afterwards. The film also starred Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Sathyaraj, Jatin Sarna, Sanjay Kapoor, Prateik Babbar, and Kishore in key roles.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Salman Khan has the sweetest reaction as a young fan hugs him at a Mumbai event, internet reacts. Watch
Actor Salman Khan showed up at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday. The actor was greeted on stage by a young fan, and the adorable moment was captured by paparazzi and shared on social media. Fans have now gushed about the sweet moment and shared how Bhaijaan is always the sweetest when it comes to his young fans. (Also read: Panchayat actor Aasif Khan shares health update after hospitalisation due to 'health issues') Salman Khan shared an adorable moment with a young fan on stage. Salman's adorable moment with fan In the video that has now surfaced on Instagram, Salman was seen on stage with some other people when a young female fan approached him from the audience. The little girl waved at him and Salman told her to come on stage. She then came and gave Salman a hug, which he responded back with a big smile. Salman then guided her back down from the stage and walked to her parents. He was also seen interacting with the person for a brief while and praising him. Fan reactions Reacting to the adorable moment, a fan commented, 'Such a cute n humble down-to-earth human he is.' A second fan said, 'The favorite of every generation Salman Khan.' A comment read, 'Such a golden heart man 💖✨ we love you bhaijaan.' 'Salman is the best when around kids,' said another. Salman was last seen on screen in Sikandar. The action drama also starred Rashmika Mandanna, and was directed by Ghajini fame AR Murugadoss. The film opened to mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. Fans will see Salman next in Battle of Galwan, which will also star Chitrangada Singh. The actor shared the first look poster of the film a few days ago. The poster saw Salman with bloodstains on his face, donning an army uniform with a fierce expression in his eyes. The motion poster also included the line: 'Over 15,000 feet above sea level, India fought its most brutal battle without firing a single bullet.'
