Dubai: Salman Khan shares his most valuable lesson after decades in Bollywood

Khaleej Times

30-03-2025

After decades of reigning over Bollywood, actor Salman Khan has learned one fundamental truth: "You are known for the last work that you have done." As we sat down in an empty cinema hall in Dubai, filled only with his swagger, for a conversation ahead of his much-anticipated film Sikandar, this lesson echoed in his words—there is no resting on past glories, no comfort in laurels won. The superstar, affectionately called 'Bhaijaan' by his millions of fans, has built his career on relentless reinvention, year after year, Eid after Eid; it's almost like Eidiyah to his fans.
And now, with Sikandar, out now in the UAE, Bollywood's Bhaijaan promises to bring yet another action-packed performance to the big screen, this time with Rashmika Mandanna, who's on a streak of acting alongside modern Indian greats.
We say action-packed because the film is helmed by the maker of 2007-blockbuster Ghajini, A.R. Murugadoss. Now, picture that with Salman's power-packed performances and his ability to evoke emotions, at least within his fans, and you'll get an idea.
Sikandar: A conqueror, but of hearts
The word Sikandar translates roughly to 'conqueror,' drawing parallels to the legendary Alexander the Great. But for Salman, the real conquest is far from material. "Reminds me of Alexander the Great. Just one thing that he learned towards his last moments—that you don't take anything with you. No matter how much you conquer, you go with empty hands," he says. "We learned this from our parents right in the beginning. So out there, he was conquering country after country. Out here, my character in Sikandar is conquering hearts."
To reiterate, Salman Khan and Eid releases have become synonymous over the years, with fans eagerly awaiting his films as a festival ritual. When asked about the pressure that comes with these expectations, he remains pragmatic. "We try our best to live up to the expectations. Sometimes we do manage, sometimes we fall a little short. I hope we don't fall short this time," he says with a smile.
Watch Sikandar's trailer below:
But Sikandar is breaking tradition with a rare Sunday release. "So all the enthusiastic fans, the film's not releasing on Friday," he adds. "I do believe that the film should release on a Friday, but it didn't happen this time. So, please go and watch it on Sunday—and follow along as many times as you like."
A career built on constant evolution
When asked about the biggest lesson he's learned in Bollywood, he offers a philosophy shaped by experience. "You are known for the last work that you have done, and your last work should always be given its best shot. Once that is over, you can't look back and live on your past glories. You need to move ahead, keep working, and try to do better than what you have done before. Every Friday decides if you're going to see another Friday in the same year, next year, or never see that Friday again."
This relentless pursuit of excellence has kept Salman at the top of his game for over three decades, and it's a lesson he extends to the younger generation stepping into the industry. He says, "No matter what you do, no matter what field you are in, you need to give it your best. But the best has to be in the right direction."
Despite being one of the most documented celebrities in Indian cinema, Salman Khan remains an enigma. When asked if there's still a side of him the world hasn't seen, his response is both profound and playful. "You've seen so many different sides of me. All the good sides, you guys will know. The bad sides, I'll take to my grave. I'll keep it within, buried deep inside."
A deep-rooted love for Dubai
Salman's connection with Dubai runs deep, and he never shies away from expressing admiration for the city. "I love the city. It's perfect; safe, beautiful, and simply the best. I love what His Highness is doing with Dubai, It is fantastic how Dubai has grown in the last 40 years. I have seen it grow because it has been decades now since we first came to Dubai, and now, every six months, we come here and it's a different place altogether. Sheikh Hamdan and his team have done a fantastic job. The country has some great rulers."
As Sikandar releases, Salman Khan stands at a familiar crossroads—facing immense expectations, preparing to conquer the box office once again. But beyond the numbers and the frenzy, there is a star who understands the impermanence of it all. "You go with empty hands," he reminds us. And perhaps, that wisdom is what makes Salman Khan more than just a superstar. It makes him timeless.