Salman Khan Talks About Bollywood’s Reception In The South And The Changing Dynamics Of Indian Cinema

March 27, 2025: In a recent promotional event for his upcoming film Sikandar, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shared his insights on a range of important topics, including the changing dynamics of Bollywood, the evolving nature of Indian cinema, and his thoughts on the growing popularity of South Indian films.

The conversation, which took place at an event in Mumbai, delved deep into Bollywood’s shifting landscape, focusing on challenges faced by the industry, particularly with regard to film budgets and storytelling. Salman opened up about the increasing popularity of South Indian cinema and the challenges Bollywood faces in matching that success.

Bollywood and South Indian Cinema

Salman acknowledged the strong fan-following of South Indian films, especially in the Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada markets. He pointed out that, despite his immense fanbase, his films often struggle to replicate similar success in the South Indian market.

“The fan following down south is incredibly strong, and while I enjoy immense love from fans, it doesn’t always translate into box-office success when my films release there,” Salman said, admitting that South Indian cinema’s unique cultural roots make it harder for Bollywood films to match their success in the South.

Salman also highlighted the difference in reception between South Indian stars and Bollywood films in Mumbai. He explained, “Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Suriya, and other South Indian stars enjoy massive fan followings here in Bollywood, and we go to their films. But the reverse doesn’t always happen.” His comments shed light on the challenges Bollywood faces when trying to capture the same level of affection in South India.

Pan-India Films and Their Budgeting Challenges

Salman turned his attention to the trend of pan-India films, which have grown in popularity in recent years. He praised films like Pushpa and other South Indian blockbusters that have crossed regional boundaries to become pan-India successes. However, he also highlighted the role that significant financial investment and universally appealing scripts play in these films’ success.

“Films like Pushpa and others show how one region’s cinema can become a pan-India phenomenon. But creating films on such a scale requires substantial financial investment and a script that appeals universally,” said Salman. He expressed concern over Bollywood’s rising budgets, which he believes are unsustainable and often fail to deliver the expected returns at the box office.

“We are going totally wrong with our budgets. Once we get that under control, everything will be fine,” Salman remarked. He emphasized the importance of focusing on creating quality films that are not just technically grand but emotionally engaging and relevant to the audience.

The Changing Nature of Filmmaking

Further expanding on the topic, Salman shared his concerns about the current filmmaking process, particularly the desire of directors and producers to showcase their skills rather than focusing on delivering compelling, audience-oriented content. “Directors and producers need to make films for the audience, not just for their egos. It’s about creating a story that captivates, not one that simply competes with others in terms of technical achievement,” he said.

Nepotism and Legacy in Bollywood

Salman also addressed the ongoing debate around nepotism in Bollywood. He rejected the notion of “self-made” success and pointed out that every person’s career is influenced by the support and connections they have. Reflecting on his own family’s legacy in the industry, Salman said, “There is no such thing as self-made. Everything in life is teamwork.”

He added that his father, Salim Khan, a prominent screenwriter, had significant support in his career from his own father, which helped pave the way for Salman’s success. “My father didn’t just arrive in Mumbai from Indore and start his career from scratch. He had the support of his own father, who was an established figure in the industry,” Salman said, emphasizing that connections and legacy are a part of every profession, not just Bollywood.

Collaboration with AR Murugadoss

Salman also spoke about working with director AR Murugadoss on Sikandar, an action-packed thriller set to release on March 30, 2025. He praised Murugadoss for his dedication and ability to push him to deliver his best performance, particularly during the film’s intense action sequences.

“Murugadoss always pushed me to bring my best performance, especially during the action sequences. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience,” Salman said.

Aspirations to Work with Shah Rukh Khan

In an interesting turn of events, Murugadoss also shared his aspiration to work with Bollywood’s third Khan, Shah Rukh Khan. Reflecting on his experiences with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, Murugadoss expressed his desire to collaborate with Shah Rukh Khan in the future, saying, “Working with Aamir and Salman has been a dream come true, but Shah Rukh Khan is someone I still want to work with.”

This comment sparked excitement among fans, as it added another layer of intrigue to the long-standing desire to see the three Khans of Bollywood collaborate on-screen in some capacity.

As Salman Khan gears up for the release of Sikandar, his insights into Bollywood’s evolving dynamics and his candid reflections on the industry’s strengths and weaknesses are sure to resonate with audiences and industry insiders alike.