'Mujhe itna dar laga…': When Salman Khan warned fans not to follow his ‘Tere Naam' character

Time of India

22-06-2025

Salman Khan
's portrayal of Radhe in the 2003 cult classic Tere Naam remains one of his most talked-about performances. But behind the intensity and heartbreak of the character was a very real fear, not for himself, but for his fans.
Earlier Salman revealed in a conversation on Aap Ki Adalat, how deeply uneasy he felt about playing Radhe, a tragically obsessive lover. 'Mujhe itna dar laga, ki maine socha mai ye nahi karunga,' he admitted, reflecting on how the disturbing nature of Radhe's character made him reconsider even taking up the role.
'Don't Be Like Radhe,' Warns Salman
Salman went on to explain that Tere Naam marked the first time in his career where he had planned how to promote the film before shooting even began.
His message was clear: 'Ye picture zaroor dekhna, but is character ko kabhi follow mat karna' — watch the movie, but don't imitate the character.
Calling Radhe a 'loser,' Salman highlighted how the character destroys his own life in blind obsession over a girl. 'Yeh ek ladki ke piche pagal ho raha hai aur apni zindagi barbad kar diya… age badho life me,' he urged his fans. He feared that Radhe's extreme actions like stalking and emotional turmoil might be misinterpreted as signs of true love by impressionable viewers.
Reel vs. Real: Style, Not Substance
Salman's hairstyle, fashion, and intense expressions in the film became iconic — aspects Salman said fans could follow. But he stressed drawing the line between on-screen dramatics and real-life behavior.
Coming to present, Salman Khan was recently seen in the action entertainer film 'Sikandar' which received mediocre reviews from the audiences. The movie was directed by AR Murugadoss.
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