Bollywood Friends, Rivals: Can We Take Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman Khan 'Dosti' At Face Value?

By NISHI KHAN | INNLIVE

An oft-repeated adage in showbiz is 'fake it 'till you make it' but sometimes the acting doesn't end on the big screen. It seeps into real life.

In the decades that Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have been in the limelight, their relationship status has changed multiple times. The three Khans have been BFFs, frenemies and bitter enemies (and everything in between).

Mission 'Jai Ho' Makes Salman Khan A 'Real Common Man'

By M H Ahssan | INN Live

"It's not as though an apple fell on Salman's head and he saw the light" says father and scriptwriter Salim Khan. It is Day 4 of Jai Ho and the film has just hit a Rs.100cr figure worldwide, (67crores in India, according to Box Office India) leaving the actor's reputation as being founder and president of the Rs.100cr club, intact. But only barely.

The actor himself says he is confused about the obvious discrepancy between the box office figures and the audience reactions: there is palpable whistling and 'I Love You Salman's tossed at the screen when he single handedly takes on thug after thug in the endless playing to the gallery through more than three quarters of the 150 minute film. 

In 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' Emotions And Tears Flows Naturally, I Never Tried To Act In The Film': Salman Khan

Emotions and tears are not in my control, it flows naturally, i never insisted to make it in acting, it happened with me, Salman Khan bluntly revealed during the release of the 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' film official trailer release event.

He may have spent nearly three decades in Bollywood and built a reputation as one of the most commercially successful actors, but superstar Salman Khan says he throws tantrums even at this age.

Salman Khan Will Cast In My 'Ek Tha Tiger-2': Kabir Khan

By Nishi Khan in Mumbai

WEEKEND KA TADKA: Ace Bollywood director Kabir Khan talks about his equation with Salman Khan, why his daughter Saira isn’t in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and why filming it was satisfying in a informal chat with INNLIVE, recently.

Here are the edited excerpts: His first outing with Salman Khan in Ek Tha Tiger was not exactly smooth — there were creative differences — but with Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan not only got the superstar on board as an actor but even as a producer. “Salman liked the script so much that he decided to produce it,” Kabir says happily. Clearly, the director and the actor have come a long way.

Exclusive: Ace Actors Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan And Aamir Khan Share Screen Together For A TV Talk Show

Seems like its raining Khan. After the big fat Khan wedding of Salman’s siter Arpita, the Khan biggies again came together for a filming the episode of a popular chat show which airs on a leading news channel.

The trio was earlier expected to come under one roof at Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan’s wedding reception last month, however it did not happen. Though not then, the Khan trio got together for an event in Delhi, last night.

Looking at the pictures one can clearly identify the bonding and chemistry between these three ace actors. The mischievous smile that they passed among themselves can take away millions hearts of their fans, as we all have been waiting for them to share a frame.

World's Most Controversial Actor, The Great 'Salman Khan'

By Niloufer Khan / Mumbai

Salman Khan is one of India's most bankable stars who has had five back-to-back hits since 2010. Salman Khan is that rare Bollywood star who has a huge fan following across the vast spectrum of Indian society. When his latest film Dabangg2 - sequel to a hugely successful film in 2010 - was released over Christmas, it was screened in more than 3,500 theatres and the cinemas were packed for days.

At an upmarket multiplex in the south district of the Indian capital, Delhi, the crowds included the usual middle-class English-speaking audiences as well as the residents of a neighbouring slum for whom the 350-rupee tickets could not have come cheap.

But his fame has brought with it a long-held image of a larger-than-life macho superstar who lives dangerously. Now, an Indian court has ruled that he should face the serious charge of culpable homicide for a hit-and-run incident in 2002. A trial for a lesser charge has rumbled on for many years - he denies the charges. Despite these setbacks, his fan base remains loyal and the hits have kept coming.

CJ REPORT: SALMAN KHAN'S FILM 'MENTAL' SHOOTING STALLED

By CJ Vicky Behl in Mumbai

The shoot for Salman Khan's Mental was stalled in Lavasa. The action sequence had to be stalled after action artistes from Mumbai and Hyderabad locked horns over allegations that the production team is biased towards Bollywood performers.

The dispute started when 30 fighters from Hyderabad and Chennai who were called in for an action sequence realized that they were inadequately represented vis-a-vis their Mumbai peers. While demographically there were only three Southern fighters for every seven from Bollywood, they further found out that they were being paid almost 50% lesser than their counterparts. 

'Jai Ho': Means A Marriage With Boredom And Nonsense

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Big Question: Actor Salman Khan’s 'Hit And Run Case' Prime Witness Died, Who Is Responsible In Our System?

Actor Salman Khan was in court on Friday to explain his side of the story in the 2002 hit-and-run case. Many witnesses had testified several times before the court.

Ravindra Patil was one eyewitness whose version could’ve cracked the case wide open. But a look at his story tells us that the system only failed him at every level, and those who got crushed by Salman’s Land Cruiser in 2002.

Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan once again came together for Arpita’s reception, forever!

And they came together once again. The superstars of Bollywood Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan once again met and had a gala time at Salman’s sister Arpita’s reception bash in Mumbai. Both the Khans not just came together, they even seemed to have struck a friend chord.

Looking dapper, both Shah Rukh and Salman mingled, joked and gave plenty of candid moments to shutterbugs to capture. Clad in a black suit paired with black shirt, Shah Rukh looked like his handsome self even as the brother of the bride Salman dressed in a midnight blue shirt looked quite a sight himself.

A New 'Super Khan' Born With '3000 Crore' Win - 'Irrfan Khan' Shines After 'Jurassic World' Box Office Success

By Nishi Khan in Mumbai

The Three Khan wars! The likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan might be locked in a battle to rule Bollywood for ages now, but it seems 'Irrfan Khan', a new super Khan is intent on ruling not only the bollywood but captured the world stardom.

The Indian film industry is obsessed with Box office collections and Irrfan even went on record to say that he is far removed from the number game. But the earth shattering collections of his recent Hollywood outing The Jurassic World speak another story.

The movie has earned over Rs 3,200 crore at the global box office within the opening weekend itself, as opposed to the average Rs 100-200 crores of business that the super hit Khan movies do in their entire lifetime. No wonder the feat has also earned Irrfan the tag of '3000 crore Khan' on Twitter, amid the huge frenzy on social media.

ACTOR SALMAN KHAN GETTING 'FIT' AFTER SURGERY

By M H Ahssan

Actor Salman Khan is enjoying his gestation period, and is following his doctor's advice of complete bed rest! However, accessible even while in the US of A, Salman Khan has recovered only to be a wiser man.

Better in health, Salman Khan has realised the importance of some things and the unimportance of many more. He was heard saying, "Health is the most important thing in life. If you don't have good health, you have nothing. After my operation and the pain I went through, every other thing seems so small and miniscule in comparision - fights, soured friendships, hits, box office collections, critics' ratings, what this one said, what that one said - it's not worth it. Your body deserves your attention."

Many feel that Salman Khan was referring to the fight that he had with Shah Rukh, when he spoke about fights and soured friendship.
Salman and Shah Rukh were good friends once, but parted ways after a brawl at Katrina Kaif's party. The two haven't spoken ever since, and have spared no opportunity to take potshots at each other through the media.

However, the two seem to have now cooled down, and hopefully the issue will be well behind them.

Salman Khan, Kawasi Hidme And The Cobwebs Of Justice

Have you heard about Kawasi Hidme? Chances are high that you have not. How about Salman Khan? Have you heard about him? Of course you have, especially nowadays when everyone has an opinion on the recent verdict against him and the subsequent bail.

This post is not about whether it is right to jail or bail Salman Khan, whether he is guilty or not, but about the bigger picture.

'I NEVER CROSS MY LIMITS WITH SALMAN' - ARBAAZ KHAN

By Srikant Shirke & Niloufer Khan

Better late than never. After 15 years of surviving a thinly spread career in acting, Arbaaz Khan has finally hit the bull’s eye. In fact, the self-actualisation for the actor-turned-filmmaker first began when his Arbaaz Khan Productions presented the 100 crore blockbuster Dabangg in 2010. As a producer, he was the toast of the red carpet as his film won a hamper of awards that year. But when he was made to helm the sequel Dabangg 2, it was destiny unveiling his finest role for him.

Salman Khan: 'In A Star Of His Own' - (VIDEO)

Salman Khan is more than just an actor. The man is a phenomenon. In India, he is a cultural force, with many trying – and failing – to emulate his style. There are always people swarming around his Mumbai home, with the hope of catching a glimpse of the Bollywood star. His latest film – “Mental", "Kick,” in which he plays quite different roles – are set for release soon.

In an interview with INN, Salman Khan spoke of his script-writing ambitions, being directed by his brother and celebrating the heartland of India. Edited excerpts.

INN: After the success of “Dabangg2”, your films have been back-to-back hits. Would you say this is the most exciting – and perhaps best – phase of your career?

Salman Khan: It certainly is. In fact this is the best phase in everybody’s career. The industry is going through a very good phase. And there is an economic reason for it. It is not that it has just happened and nobody could see it coming. The number of screens in the country is increasing by the day and the distributors are tapping into newer markets. People are patronizing the theatres with renewed enthusiasm – there is an entire picnic-like attitude when families go out to see movies, which is a very good sign. They want to see larger-than-life characters on the big screen and not just watch movies on television or on DVDs.

The sequel to Dabangg has seen a change in director. Dabangg 2 is directed by your brother, Arbaaz Khan, and not by Abhinav Kashyap. How has it affected brand Dabangg?

No, I don’t feel that Dabangg has been affected in any manner because it is not like that Arbaaz is a totally new entity in the film. He was the producer of the first one, and, for him, it was the next logical step to enter direction. We were keen on having Abhinav Kashyap, but he didn’t want to do it. So Arbaaz stepped in and, I must say, I was surprised with the amount of control Arbaaz has shown here. He has done an absolutely fabulous job and has made the sequel exceptionally large in terms of scale.

Were you always aware that your brother had directorial ambitions? If so, did you have any apprehensions about his competence?

Yes, we always knew that Arbaaz wanted to direct. But I only became aware that he had such a great talent when he actually directed the film. Part of the reason is that Dabangg 2 marks his debut as a director. This will be the first time you will be seeing him in the capacity of a director, and I can assure you that it is something that will take you by surprise. He’s got a great knack for story-telling.

As brothers, is it easier or harder to resolve creative conflicts?

It is easy. Being brothers, there is a sense of comfort that I cannot find with anybody else. We have grown up together, so both of us understand exactly what the other is thinking. I believe this very thing is of paramount importance especially in a creative field like filmmaking. The intention is very clear: everything is for the betterment of the film on which both of our careers depend. So we did have very healthy, work-related discussions.

But was it difficult to separate Arbaaz Khan the brother from Arbaaz Khan the director?

No, it wasn’t as complex as you make it sound. It took not more than two minutes for us to realize who was right and who was wrong. We didn’t face any stardom-related conflicts, and this is true not only during filming but in general. It is simple logic: we have to convince each other, keeping the best interests in mind.

Do you ever feel that by doing pulpy, formulaic films like a Dabangg, “Ready,” “Bodyguard” or “Ek Tha Tiger” you are fueling mediocrity, the kind of mediocrity that is in conflict with the intellectual class of the country?

No, I don’t feel that for a minute. I think it is very difficult to successfully pull off this kind of genre. People do not get these kinds of films in abundance. Cinema should always be in touch with the soil of the country. My films celebrate the heartland of India. Any film is about heroism: the triumph of good over evil. If you look back at my films, you will see that as a recurring theme.

One theory is that Salman Khan makes the masses feel like themselves: they wear clothes like yours, they style themselves like you, and they try to talk and walk the way you do. So is it a conscious decision on your part to portray yourself in a way that many people find accessible?

Not at all. I have been like this for the longest time. It is just something that defines me, and not something that I try to be in order to generate mass hysteria.

You have written a script, “Veer” (2010), which didn’t do well at the box-office. You also wrote another film called “Baaghi” (1990), a long time back. Is script-writing something that you would love to pursue once you quit acting?

As of now, there aren’t any plans to quit acting because I’m having too much fun and it is working out extremely well, not only for me but a whole lot of other people involved. But script-writing is something that gives me a lot of pleasure. I love writing my scripts and it is surely something I will do once I’m done acting.

How long do you think this kind of stardom can last?

As long as I can sustain it. After that, it will be a logical step to step-down. Right now, the producers are making a lot of money and fans are having a great time watching my films. The day the producers aren’t minting money, or the fans are done with me and, most of all, I as a person get bored of acting, I will stop and pursue my other interests. There is a lot to do: painting, writing, direction.

Your father, Salim Khan, is a noted scriptwriter. Do you consult him before going about a project?

Only if I am very confused do I go to him. And yes, it has never happened that I became more confused after a conversation with him. He always sorts me out.

You repeatedly say that if you want to spread a social message, you’d talk about it, maybe say something on Twitter, but not make a film about it. Do you think cinema as a medium cannot bring about social change?

No, I don’t believe that cinema is incapable of bringing social change. And it is not even that we ignore it totally. Take the example of Dabangg. The film has a number of scenes that spread out a lot of socially relevant messages, but in a very entertaining way. Like the one where Chulbul talks about the necessity of taking polio drops to a character who has been infected. If you look for such instances, there are plenty, but let us only look at Chulbul Pandey. If you want to follow a character, follow him. He is a very good guy who is crazy about his mother, fond of his girlfriend, takes a strong stand and has shades of Robin Hood as well. So, for me, the idea is to blend social messages with the mainstream because it is the best way to ensure that the message reaches a good number of people. Even if it does so on a sub-conscious level – and it will, because polio or alcoholism is not the primary focus of our story but deliberately added segments – then half the battle is won.

You had a painful disorder:  trigeminal neuralgia. How badly did it affect your work?

It was a nightmare of a pain, and it lasted for a long while. But right now, I am fine as it has been treated. It affected me severely but what can one do? I am an actor and I cannot give excuses to my fans for under-performing. I cannot ask my producers to understand my problem and run a disclaimer under an action-heavy scene claiming: “The actor suffers a painful disorder so bear with the body-double”. Can we do that? People are paying so that you look your best on-screen despite your personal pains and aches. If you cannot manage that, you have no right to be an actor.

Will you say that today you are less temperamental as a person and more at peace with yourself?

I was never temperamental and never will be temperamental at any point in my life. There are just some things that are wrong that I don’t like. I have and will continue to take stand against things that I feel strongly about. I cannot help it if the media likes to project me in a certain way. I have not changed as a person. I’m the same as you saw me in “Maine Pyaar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hai Kaun.” Just that with each passing day, like you, I am growing as a person.

Is there a possibility that we may see you portray a dark and disturbing character, or maybe in an Anurag Kashyap film?

It is very, very unlikely. I don’t have that thing in me at all. Perhaps if I experience it first-hand, I may be able to do it. But I seriously doubt that would happen.

The amount of money that you make per film must be humongous. Do you ever get that feeling that top-stars are overpaid?

Not really. I genuinely believe that we get what we deserve. Look at the kind of business our films are doing. Having said that, I believe I deserve twice the amount of money that I am currently paid. The industry loses out on a lot of revenue due to the tickets sold in black, film-piracy and other issues. In fact, the government also loses out. If all of it were taken care of and accounted for, we would be paid much more. You must remember this: if the prices of the stars are going up, prices of other commodities also are also shooting up.

Sallu-mania, Salmaniacs, Bhaitards: are you aware that there’s an entire sub-culture that religiously follows everything that Salman Khan does? What do all these terms –  and by extension, people – mean to you?

I am very much aware of that kind of craze. To put it simply, it feels very good. I honestly don’t know why or when it happened and how all of this came about. I have been here for almost 25 years now, and the fan following has been grown by leaps and bounds. It is very humbling.

But the actresses you worked with faded away. Take Madhuri Dixit, who you quite successfully romanced on-screen. She’s now a judge on a reality show, while you are busy promoting your next blockbuster. Is there sexism in the Hindi film industry?

Well, not really. Madhuri had a great career. She got married and is doing well for herself. Everybody has their own time. Today, there are a slew of talented and hard-working girls who have come, and the industry has also evolved. The shelf-life of the heroine has improved than what it was at one point in time. Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherji started a few years after me and they are still around. So I don’t feel that the industry has treated anyone badly.

SALMAN KHAN'S RECENT ON 'TIMES NOW'

Saturday Tadka: Salman Khan To Host 'Bigg Boss-7' Again?

By Niloufer Khan / Mumbai

Salman Khan has apparently given his nod for the seventh season of his reality show. May also get a hefty hike on his already amazing fee. If rumours are to be believed, Salman Khan will once again be the face of Bigg Boss. After initial buzz suggested that the upcoming season had been offered to Salman’s bete noire Shah Rukh Khan, sources from the production house say Sallu has already signed on the dotted line. 

Sources also say Salman has apparently been given a considerable fee hike. While the actor was said to be apparently earning R 2.5 crore per episode in the previous season, he is now allegedly said to receive a whopping amount of R 3 crore per appearance.

An insider says, “Salman’s three-season deal had lapsed after the last season. The channel had approached him as well as SRK for the next season. They wanted to keep their options open. But looks like now Salman has come on board.”

Bigg Boss-7 Host Salman Khan Might Be Called By Police For Recording Statement On 'Armaan - Sofia Tussle'

By Niloufer Khan | Mumbai

Salman Khan might be in trouble for being witness in the verbal war between Sofia and contestant Armaan Kohli. The Lonavala Police is likely to also record actor Salman Khan's statements in the Sofia Hayat assault case.

Sources reveal that Salman is the host and integral part of the show. Sofia has already made the producers of the show party in the FIR for supporting Armaan and not eliminating even after the clause in the show maintain that one who goes physical with the co contestant should be immediately asked to leave the show.

Bigg Boss Halla Bol Poll: Farah Disappoints, Missing 'Sallu'

We asked fans if Farah Khan’s debut as Bigg Boss Halla Bol host was any good. Here is what we find in our poll results.

When it was revealed that Salman Khan will bid adieu to Bigg Boss 8 and Farah Khan had been roped in to fill in his shoes in the spin off of the popular reality show, fans were shocked with this unexpected turn of events. While many were saddened with Salman’s exit from the show, a hot topic became the centre of discussion among the gossip mongers – Will Farah Khan be as good a host as Salman Khan was?

Salman Khan's 'Jai Ho' Film Seems Like A 'Soon-To-Be-Hit'

By Manish Singh | Mumbai
After much fanfare, Salman Khan finally shared the first ever trailer of his upcoming film 'Jai Ho' last evening. The way this was done was also ingenious: in a crowded Chandan cinema full of screaming fans and a curious media. Hoots and claps soon followed.
The actor reportedly also said to all present, "If you like the trailer, please stay here and if you didn't like it please move out." We know only a star as big as Salman can afford to say something like this. Yes indeedy.
The promo sure looks promising. Leaning a tad bit on the Dabangg-like I-kill-bad-guys spirit of the original, Salman is out and out a 'people's man' this time. Forget Batman and Superman, give us Salman Khan in such refreshingly recycled roles, and we're on-board.

#SalmanAcquittal Actor Salman Khan Poaching Case: 'Missing' Driver Says The Actor Shot Chinkara

By NISHI KHAN | INNLIVE

The man who was driving the jeep used by Bollywood star Salman Khan during an alleged deer hunt in Rajasthan in 1998 today stuck to his claim that the actor had shot the animal.

The statement by Harish Dulani, who was reported to be "missing", came two days after the 50-year-old actor was acquitted by the Rajasthan High Court in two cases related to poaching of Chinkaras in Jodhpur in 1998.