Salman Khan on seeing success-failure-success cycle at box office: ‘Even before I became an actor…’

Salman Khan is currently savouring the success of his recent film, Tiger 3. In a candid conversation, the actor expressed strong opinions about the ‘superstar’ label associated with him. He dismissed such tags as ‘really stupid and silly,’ expressing his discomfort with the title and the pressure that comes with it. Salman also highlighted that he hasn’t experienced failure in the film industry till date and emphasised how even his flop films have been profitable for producers.

Speaking to Pinkvilla, Salman said, “I don’t like when they call me ‘superstar’ ‘megastar.’ That is something I don’t care about. I am doing my work and people are liking that is what it is. Aisa kuch kar nahi dia hai maine apne own par ke ‘superstar’ ka title deserve karu (I haven’t done anything on my own to deserve this title). I think the title ‘superstar’ is taken a bit seriously. My name is Salman Khan. I am fine with people calling me ‘Sallu’ and ‘Bhai.’ But I find the tag of ‘superstar’ and ‘megastar’ really stupid and silly. And I will appreciate if people don’t call me that.”

Sharing how none of his producers have lost money, he said, “I know that my films are doing well and the box office numbers are there but I don’t think it’s right to put that tag on me. It’s a lot of pressure and I don’t deserve it. It is just that I am giving my best and my best is working so far. No producer has lost money in all the films that I have done. Even those who had lost money earlier, today with satellite and digital, they have all covered their losses and earned made more than what they had made at that time. So, there has been no failure in my life in the film industry and I am really happy for them (producers) as well.”

The actor also shared how he has seen the cycle of failure and success in his home with his father and producer and screenwriter Salim Khan. He said, “I have seen the cycle of failure-success-failure-success in my house before I even became an actor. I have seen this with my father. When he was successful as a writer, I didn’t see him going ballistic and nuts and when he went down also I saw the same man. I didn’t see any change in his personality. And that’s why when a film a like Tiger does well, we may not celebrate it, but when a film does not do well, we don’t cry about it. Because we have given it our best.”

He added, “I believe that even if a film is an average film and does the business of X amount and breaks all records, it is a damn good film because your audience have liked that and if the most brilliant film does not do well, I think it’s a s***ty film because your audience has not liked it. When people say we have made this film for ourselves, I want to ask them, ‘Then why are you showing it to people?’ I make my films for fans.”

Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 has raked in Rs 447 crore worldwide within 16 days of its release. The success of Tiger 3 was important for Salman as his last six films under performed the box office. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan was a dud. Radhe – Your Most Wanted Bhai was panned by the audience. Race 3, Bharat and Dabangg were moderate performers. Though Tiger 3 is close to crossing the Rs 500 crore mark, trade analysts are cautious about hailing Tiger 3 as his best due to its massive Rs 500 crore budget.