Veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has recently voiced his support for Salman Khan, defending the superstar against criticisms of his recent films' box office performances. Shetty's comments highlight the unique position Salman Khan holds in the industry, where even his "flops" achieve remarkable financial success compared to many other actors' hits.
In a recent interview, Shetty addressed the perception of Salman Khan's recent films, stating that calling a ₹200 crore-grossing movie a "flop" is misleading. He emphasized that for a significant portion of the industry, such a figure would be considered a superhit. Shetty acknowledged that everyone makes missteps in film selection occasionally, but he also pointed out Salman's heartfelt approach to his work. He believes that when Salman Khan finds the right project, he will undoubtedly create magic on screen.
Shetty further illustrated his point by noting that even Salman Khan's underperforming films manage to earn ₹200 crore. He challenged the notion by suggesting a comparison of the box office numbers of all films released this year, confidently asserting that they would likely fall short of the collections of a Salman Khan film. Recent reports indicate that Salman Khan's latest release, Sikandar, despite receiving mixed reviews, has reportedly earned over ₹200 crore within just 10 days of release, although some reports suggest a slightly lower worldwide collection of ₹184.6 crore.
Beyond box office figures, Suniel Shetty also spoke about his personal bond with Salman Khan, describing him as one of the most misunderstood people. Recalling an emotional moment at an IIFA event where Salman Khan spoke fondly of Shetty's support during tough times, Shetty reciprocated the sentiment. He described Salman as a "human being" and "being human," emphasizing his exceptional character and the deep respect and affection he holds for him, despite not meeting regularly. Shetty also lauded Salman's commitment to helping others, stating that it is ingrained in his DNA. He highlighted Salman's consistent support for people in need, often unseen by the public eye, further solidifying his image as a person with a "golden heart." Shetty even recounted an instance where Salman readily agreed to undergo a bone marrow test for a child battling cancer.
Their friendship goes back many years, with a planned collaboration alongside Kajol and Shilpa Shetty that unfortunately never materialized. Shetty also acknowledged Salman Khan's support for Sooraj Pancholi during difficult times.
Shetty's defense of Salman Khan comes at a time when Bollywood is facing increasing scrutiny over its box office performance. He has also raised concerns about the industry as a whole, questioning whether Bollywood is losing ground to international films. He pointed to issues such as expensive ticket and concession prices and the decreasing number of theaters as contributing factors. He urged the industry to reduce prices to make cinema more accessible. He also reminisced about the earlier days of Bollywood, where producers were deeply involved in their films and contrasted it with the more corporate approach prevalent today.
