Latest news with #SajidKhan
News18
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sajid Khan Feels Anyone Can Do A Film Now: ‘Hero Bahut Kam Bache Hai Apne Paas'
Last Updated: Sajid Khan lamented Bollywood's decline in true "heroes" like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, praising South Indian cinema for maintaining the hero concept. Sajid Khan is feeling a little nostalgic, and maybe a bit disappointed, about where Bollywood is heading these days. In a candid chat with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa on their YouTube channel Bharti TV, Sajid opened up about how the idea of a 'hero" has pretty much faded from Hindi films. He said it like it is: 'Hero bahut kam bache hain apne paas. There are no heroes in today's time. There are leads." For him, the actors we used to admire, the ones who carried a certain weight, style, and responsibility on screen, have now been replaced by just actors doing lead roles. Sajid took us back to the days of Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Mithun Chakraborty. Those were the real Bollywood heroes, he believes. Now, things have changed to the point where 'Nowadays, anyone can do a film because the value of a hero has diminished." Sajid feels that down South, the idea of a hero still matters. Their heroes get grand entry scenes, big moments, and most importantly, they have to be morally clean in the story. That's still respected there. As he put it, 'The ones who used to be heroes are now just leads." And he made a great observation too: 'The term 'super-lead' doesn't exist, but the word 'superhero' does," pointing to the kind of aura true heroes used to have. Sajid Khan took a trip down memory lane as he spoke about how things have changed in the film industry. He pointed out that back in the day, actors didn't need six-pack abs or gym-built bodies to leave an impression. Stars like Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, he said, weren't ripped — but their expressions, that fire in their eyes, did all the talking. He credited Salman Khan for kickstarting the gym craze in Bollywood after Maine Pyaar Kiya, calling it the point where having a sculpted body became the new norm. But Sajid made it clear that muscles alone don't define a hero. What really matters, he said, is the intensity in an actor's eyes. To explain further, Sajid talked about Ranbir Kapoor in Animal. Even without the bulked-up look, Sajid feels Ranbir would've made just as big an impact — because the emotion in his eyes was so strong. He also mentioned Sunny Deol in Gadar 2, saying that Sunny didn't have a gym body, but still looked powerful and believable on screen. ' First Published:
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sajid Khan talks about fading Bollywood heroes vs. South Indian cinema continuing the legacy: "There are no heroes in today's time.."
Sajid Khan recently shared his thoughts on how the idea of a 'hero' in Bollywood is fading. In a recent podcast, he said that today's industry has more lead actors than real heroes. He reflected on how the definition of a hero has changed over the years. Classic Bollywood Hero Is Fading In a conversation on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Sajid Khan quoted that the classic image of a Bollywood hero, once represented by legends like Amitabh Bachchan , Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna , and Mithun Chakraborty , has faded over time. Operation Sindoor Armed forces maintaining strong vigil after Pak ceasefire breach: MEA Behind the scenes of ceasefire: Calls from Pakistan, Washington Pakistan violates ceasefire: Loud explosions, sirens haunt J&K- what we know so far 'Hero bahut kam bache hain apne paas. There are no heroes in today's time. There are leads. 'The ones who used to be heroes are now just leads. Nowadays, anyone can do a film because the value of a hero has diminished.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo True Heroes Still Thrive in South Indian Cinema Sajid emphasized that the essence of a true hero is still alive in South Indian films. He noted that heroes in the South are portrayed with grandeur and are held to a moral standard, where their actions must align with societal values. He also pointed out that while there is no term like "super-lead," the word "superhero" still signifies the kind of stature heroes once held in cinema. Changing Hero Dynamics and Physical Fitness He reflected on how actors in earlier generations didn't rely on muscular physiques to leave an impact. He noted that stars like Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan conveyed intensity through their expressions, despite not having well-defined bodies. Sajid credited Salman Khan for popularizing the gym-toned look in Bollywood, especially after 'Maine Pyaar Kiya,' which sparked the six-pack trend. However, he emphasized that physical fitness alone doesn't define a hero; true intensity comes from an actor's eyes. Emotional Depth Over Physical Transformation Pointing to Ranbir Kapoor's physical transformation for Animal, Sajid said his performance would have been equally powerful without the muscle gain, thanks to the emotional depth in his eyes. He also referenced Sunny Deol 's role in 'Gadar 2', praising Deol's natural, strong presence. Despite not having a gym-toned body, Deol's 'desi body' made his action scenes feel convincing and impactful. Navina Bole Accuses Sajid Khan of Misconduct
Economic Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'Hero nahi hai aaj ki date mein': Sajid Khan says Bollywood has lost its real heroes, finds true heroism in the South
'Heroism is extinct in Bollywood' Of Angry Eyes and Six-Pack Abs You Might Also Like: Actress Niharika Singh opens about her #MeToo experience with Sajid Khan, Nawazuddin The Rise of the Southern Superstar Sunny Deol's Desi Muscle vs. Designer Bodies In a candid and animated chat on Bharti TV with comedian Bharti Singh and writer-host Haarsh Limbachiyaa, filmmaker Sajid Khan dropped a truth bomb that's got cinephiles and social media buzzing: Bollywood, he claims, no longer has heroes—just lead actors. With his signature wit and no-filter commentary, the director of hits like Heyy Babyy and Housefull offered a nostalgic yet piercing critique of the evolution—or perhaps dilution—of the Hindi film didn't mince words when comparing the golden age of cinema to the present. 'Hero nahi hai aaj ki date mein. Leads hain,' he asserted, drawing a clear distinction between the classic 'hero' and today's star. According to him, the term 'hero' in its true cinematic essence has all but disappeared from Bollywood, surviving only in the grand, morally upright, slow-mo-entry world of South Indian lament was not about acting skills or popularity, but about ethos. 'The concept of a hero only really remains in the South,' he said. 'That's why their entry is dhamakedaar. They can't take a wrong step on screen because they are heroes—heroes who represent society's hopes, not just its fantasies.' His point struck deeper when he remarked, 'That's why we've never heard the word 'super-lead', only 'superhero.''Turning the clock back, Sajid reflected on an era when Amitabh Bachchan's furrowed brow, Vinod Khanna's charismatic presence, and Dharmendra's righteous fury were enough to command a crowd's applause. 'Earlier heroes didn't need a good body,' he said. 'The action was in the eyes, not the thighs.'He took a playful yet pointed dig at today's gym-obsessed generation of actors. 'Now it's mandatory to have six-packs,' Sajid quipped, recalling how Salman Khan had once stunned the industry with his chiseled look in Maine Pyaar Kiya. But for all the abs and aesthetic perfection, Sajid argued, what's truly missing is the intensity. 'Ranbir Kapoor's training for Animal was impressive, but even without the body, his eyes carried the role,' he said, making a case for emotional authenticity over physical praise for Southern cinema was as loud as his critique of Bollywood. He pointed out how South Indian heroes still uphold the old-school notion of righteousness and larger-than-life presence. Their roles demand not only charisma but also moral weight—traits that once defined Hindi film icons. 'There's a reason why their films have grand entries and deafening cheers,' he said. 'They're not just actors; they're cultural phenomena.'In a final reflection on changing physical standards, Sajid offered a surprising nod to Sunny Deol's old-school appeal in Gadar 2. 'That's a desi body—not sculpted by protein shakes or luxury gyms, but strong, grounded, and real,' he noted. In contrast, he questioned whether Bollywood's current obsession with aesthetics might be overshadowing the raw emotional power that once defined its you see Sajid Khan's views as a much-needed reality check or a sentimental throwback to an era gone by, one thing's for sure: the lines between 'lead actor' and 'hero' have blurred—and maybe it's time for Bollywood to find its moral muscle again. Because as Sajid aptly put it, 'Anyone can do a film now, but not everyone can be a hero.'
Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
How #MeToo accused Sajid Khan's rehabilitation exposes Bollywood's deep rot with sexual misconduct cases
Dubai: What shocks me today is not that Bollywood filmmaker Sajid Khan has once again been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct — it's how effortlessly this alleged serial offender, like many others before him, has been rehabilitated without accountability. Earlier this week, Indian television actress Navina Bole, known for Ishqbaaaz and Miley Jab Hum Tum, came forward with fresh allegations against Sajid. She recounted a deeply uncomfortable encounter from the mid-2000s, where Khan allegedly asked her to "take off her clothes and sit in lingerie" during a professional meeting at his home. Bole said she managed to leave but was subjected to persistent calls afterward. These allegations add to the already grim record Khan carries. Back in 2018, when India's #MeToo movement was peaking, no fewer than eight women — aspiring actresses, assistants, and a journalist — accused him of sexual harassment, ranging from inappropriate comments to graphic misconduct. Although Khan denied the allegations, he was suspended for a year by the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association and stepped down from directing Housefull 4. Yet by October 1, 2022, Khan had made a full-fledged comeback. He entered the Bigg Boss 16 house — India's most popular reality show — during its season premiere, hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. He stayed on air for more than 100 days, voluntarily exiting in January 2023, citing "professional commitments." The outrage here isn't just about the fresh allegations against Sajid. It's about how a serial offender like him is being seemingly systematically rehabilitated without any accountability in Bollywood — and how that is somehow considered "normal." Why is this okay? Where is the outrage from industry insiders who claim to champion change? Why are women who risked their careers and reputations to speak out treated as collateral damage? And it's not just Sajid Khan. National Award-winning director of Queen fame Vikas Bahl, accused of serious misconduct during the #MeToo wave, has returned to directing major films like Goodbye and Ganapath, barely missing a step. Others too, quietly slip back into projects, as if the allegations never existed. Bollywood, it seems, has decided that the passage of time is sufficient penance — no apology, no public reckoning needed. Meanwhile, survivors continue to struggle. One of Sajid Khan's accusers had even posted a gut-wrenching Instagram story after his Bigg Boss appearance in Salman Khan-hosted show "If you really give a [expletive], ask yourself why you're watching." She added that if the industry truly cared, they would hire the survivors, not the men they exposed. Contrast this with what is happening in Malayalam cinema. In my interview with acclaimed actress and activist Parvathy Thiruvothu, co-founder of the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC), she pointed out that at least some sense of fear and reflection has entered the Kerala film industry. "There's a realisation that people can no longer brush things under the carpet, and that realisation has created an environment of caution," while also acknowledging that a lot of work still needs to be done. Following the release of the explosive Hema Committee findings earlier this year — which exposed rampant sexual harassment and misconduct in Kerala's film industry — survivors began publicly naming their alleged abusers. The aftermath included the dissolution of film body AMMA's leadership, including superstar Mohanlal's resignation, and the Kerala government's growing intent to tackle these issues legally. Parvathy did not mince words when addressing the superficial gestures made by some in power. "Resigning at such an incredibly revelatory stage and behaving as if it's a noble move fell really short," she said. She emphasised that the solution lies not in performative actions, but in true structural reform and tangible support for survivors. Meanwhile, Bollywood seems determined to pretend that nothing happened. The industry appears more invested in rehabilitating accused men than in offering justice to the women who risked everything to speak up. When someone like Sajid Khan, Farah Khan's brother, is handed a national platform without having to address credible allegations, it sends a devastating message to every woman in the industry — and beyond. Silence is complicity. Viewership is complicity. The Malayalam film industry, though imperfect, is at least attempting to reckon with its issues. Bollywood, on the other hand, seems to believe that the status quo is just fine.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Navina Bole Accuses Sajid Khan of Misconduct
In a recent interview, actress Navina Bole, known for her roles in Ishqbaaz and Miley Jab Hum Tum, shared a distressing experience from 2004–2006. She recounted an audition with director Sajid Khan, during which he allegedly instructed her to disrobe and sit in lingerie to assess her comfort with her body. Navina managed to leave the situation by suggesting she would return in appropriate attire, highlighting the discomfort and manipulation she felt during the encounter. This revelation adds to the series of allegations against Khan, who faced multiple accusations during the #MeToo movement in 2018.
