Salman Khan on Sikandar, South movies, scarcity of movie theatre screens

The original ‘Bhaijaan’ of Bollywood, Salman Khan, is going through a lean phase – though his legion of fans would vehemently disagree. Khan’s latest film, ‘Sikandar’, has opened below expectations despite being a masala entertainer.

Prior to ‘Sikandar’s release during the Eid weekend, Khan had been promoting the movie extensively and was very excited about its release. “It has action, drama, emotion – everything my fans love. We’ve worked hard to create something special.”

Adgully caught up with Khan during a promo event for ‘Sikandar’, where in a freewheeling interaction he spoke about the evolving dynamics of Bollywood cinema, working with South directors, ‘mass’ versus ‘class’, lack of sufficient theaters across the country, his preference for music with strong melodies, and more.

Khan has teamed up with South Indian movie director AR Murugadoss for ‘Sikandar’. But this is not his first brush with South directors. Khan has long been an admirer of South Indian cinema and its technical prowess. He has worked with several South Indian directors over the years and continues to be respected by actors from the industry.

Sharing his experiences working with South Indian filmmakers, Khan said, “I was the first from my generation to start working with South directors. I have collaborated with Murali, Suresh Krishna, Adi Aman, and many others. Technically, they are very advanced, and emotionally, their storytelling is unique.”

This mutual admiration between Khan and South Indian filmmakers has often led to speculations about future collaborations. Addressing rumours of working with Atlee, Khan clarified, “Yes, we were in talks. We tried hard to work it out, but for some reason – maybe budget constraints – it didn’t happen. The project has been pushed back for now, but I’m open to working with him in the future.”

Music has always played a very significant role in a movie’s success. Speaking about the evolving music scene in Bollywood, Khan stressed on the need for strong melodies to make a comeback. “The whole music scene has changed. Earlier, melodies ruled, then people shifted to beats. I personally still prefer music with strong melodies – something that stays with you,” he added.

Khan also addressed the constant debate about choosing between mass entertainers and films with depth. For him, the distinction between ‘massy’ and ‘classy’ no longer exists. “If I like a film in the first narration, I do it. It’s not about massy or non-massy. Audiences go to theaters for entertainment, and that’s what matters,” he maintained.

Khan also strongly believes that Bollywood’s potential is limited by the lack of sufficient theaters across the country. While big-budget films thrive, many good films struggle due to the scarcity of screens. He pointed out, “India needs at least 20,000 more theaters. I remember shooting ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ in Mandawa, and people there had to travel for hours just to watch a movie. More theaters mean better business and more reach for our films.”

Also Read: Sikandar Craze soars as Theaters Go Houseful on Day 3!