For those of you who know me, I am a die hard, ardent fan of an Indian actor called Salman Khan. You can say that I have been crushing on him since I was at the tender age of 13. I have grown up watching him in Hindi films. I have to say there are times where I have had moments when I tilt my head and wonder what his fashion choices were about; he has had his moments where he has paired multi coloured flowery buttoned shirts with bizarre looking trousers (that can also be from all shades of the rainbow), I still heart him senseless!
He made all his female fans swoon at the sight of his six pack and a movie without him taking his shirt off became a waste of a film. He is the trail blazer in terms of showing off the six pack in front of the camera. He made it a trend to have a good body - not only for men, but women too!
As with the fate of fame, he had his fair share of bad publicity. He made a few bad decisions that cost him. He made some bad choices in films that dented his career. He suddenly was referred to as the 'bad boy of Bollywood'. There was a time when snide remarks were made about him, when anything that put him in bad light was reported, when it was just a given that controversy and failure would go side by side with is name. He shied away from the media. Then there was a stillness.
The story of the underdog is a fascinating one, especially when he dusts himself off, gets up and suddenly goes from strength to strength.
His fans continued to love him, to back him up, to cheer him on despite his downfalls and despite his withdrawal from the scene. There was a successful TV show, then a launch of a charitable trust, then a few movies that were hits and misses. Most importantly what seemed to shine brighter than ever for him was his amazing power to do good.
He launched his trust called Being Human, he sold merchandise that was supposed to raise monies for his charity. Much to his dismay and lack of foresight, there was fake merchandise all over the place. So he took a step back and re-strategized.
After that he produced one hit film after the other. Suddenly he was raking in huge amounts of money at the box office, for endorsements, for appearances and boom.. Salman Khan could do no wrong. His critics stopped criticizing, his haters stopped hating and his destiny changed.
Through all of this, he did not bat an eyelid and did not let the success get to him, instead he focused on doing good deeds through Being Human which he re-launched in a major way.
In 2013 he made a few waves - a TV show that saw him giving his honest opinion as a host garnered him some backlash which he took in his stride. His long-term girlfriend who was now a successful actress left him for a younger actor. He shrugged his shoulders and did what he does best - he moved on and did not let any of it affect him.
He didn't release a movie last year but there was talk about how his film, that was released this January, was going to set the tone for other Bollywood flicks in terms of sales, ratings, etc.
Marketing of the movie was creative and inspiring. The film is about paying it forward - making a change, taking things into your own hands in your own world and doing what you can to make this world a better place. The movie is titled 'Jai Ho' which is Hindi for let the victory prevail.
Critics have slammed this movie for not bringing in the big money that it 'should have'. They have said that this movie is not up to par. It is a farce. The critics have done their jobs and criticized it to the hilt!
As a fan of Salman Khan I have one thing to say to the people who do not like the movie - STFU!
If a man can bring in over half of the earnings that it takes 2 actors to bring in for a film then you must give him the credit that is due. He did not need a leading lady with a top name to support his film. Instead, he helped a newcomer make her debut.
His supporting cast were all his friends that are good actors, made the film look fantastic and he put them there to be seen and spread a message.
They say that people do not like 'messages' but instead like 'entertainment' - indeed. In this world where people are so f'n selfish they don't want to be reminded to be good and to do good. I say anyone who did not like this film did not like it because they could not fathom the idea of being good and paying it forward. They would rather watch nonsense - something like chewing gum for the brain - than be given something thought provoking and a message to take home.
When I say people I mean the people who want to see Sallu fail. Those people are few and far between, unfortunately they have big mouths.
Wherever you are in the world - try and watch the movie, take the message with you and see how your world changes! It takes balls to try and change a rigid mindset but if one does not take the step then how will this world be a better place?
My friends will read this and shake their heads, a few will nod with excitement and comment because they are as die hard as I am, my husband will probably think that this is another way for me to try and get Salman's attention (I once went outside his house and waved and jumped at his building in the hope he would see me..stalk much?!) and my one cousin who is an actual movie critic will probably not reach here as he would have stopped reading the minute I gave Sallu so much praise - although he did say that 'critics hate the film, but so what'? It is true, so what?
Bottom line is - Salman Khan is a good guy with a powerful medium and a powerful voice doing what he can to change the way we think and how we behave toward one another. What are you doing?
He made all his female fans swoon at the sight of his six pack and a movie without him taking his shirt off became a waste of a film. He is the trail blazer in terms of showing off the six pack in front of the camera. He made it a trend to have a good body - not only for men, but women too!
As with the fate of fame, he had his fair share of bad publicity. He made a few bad decisions that cost him. He made some bad choices in films that dented his career. He suddenly was referred to as the 'bad boy of Bollywood'. There was a time when snide remarks were made about him, when anything that put him in bad light was reported, when it was just a given that controversy and failure would go side by side with is name. He shied away from the media. Then there was a stillness.
The story of the underdog is a fascinating one, especially when he dusts himself off, gets up and suddenly goes from strength to strength.
His fans continued to love him, to back him up, to cheer him on despite his downfalls and despite his withdrawal from the scene. There was a successful TV show, then a launch of a charitable trust, then a few movies that were hits and misses. Most importantly what seemed to shine brighter than ever for him was his amazing power to do good.
He launched his trust called Being Human, he sold merchandise that was supposed to raise monies for his charity. Much to his dismay and lack of foresight, there was fake merchandise all over the place. So he took a step back and re-strategized.
After that he produced one hit film after the other. Suddenly he was raking in huge amounts of money at the box office, for endorsements, for appearances and boom.. Salman Khan could do no wrong. His critics stopped criticizing, his haters stopped hating and his destiny changed.
Through all of this, he did not bat an eyelid and did not let the success get to him, instead he focused on doing good deeds through Being Human which he re-launched in a major way.
In 2013 he made a few waves - a TV show that saw him giving his honest opinion as a host garnered him some backlash which he took in his stride. His long-term girlfriend who was now a successful actress left him for a younger actor. He shrugged his shoulders and did what he does best - he moved on and did not let any of it affect him.
He didn't release a movie last year but there was talk about how his film, that was released this January, was going to set the tone for other Bollywood flicks in terms of sales, ratings, etc.
Marketing of the movie was creative and inspiring. The film is about paying it forward - making a change, taking things into your own hands in your own world and doing what you can to make this world a better place. The movie is titled 'Jai Ho' which is Hindi for let the victory prevail.
Critics have slammed this movie for not bringing in the big money that it 'should have'. They have said that this movie is not up to par. It is a farce. The critics have done their jobs and criticized it to the hilt!
As a fan of Salman Khan I have one thing to say to the people who do not like the movie - STFU!
If a man can bring in over half of the earnings that it takes 2 actors to bring in for a film then you must give him the credit that is due. He did not need a leading lady with a top name to support his film. Instead, he helped a newcomer make her debut.
His supporting cast were all his friends that are good actors, made the film look fantastic and he put them there to be seen and spread a message.
They say that people do not like 'messages' but instead like 'entertainment' - indeed. In this world where people are so f'n selfish they don't want to be reminded to be good and to do good. I say anyone who did not like this film did not like it because they could not fathom the idea of being good and paying it forward. They would rather watch nonsense - something like chewing gum for the brain - than be given something thought provoking and a message to take home.
When I say people I mean the people who want to see Sallu fail. Those people are few and far between, unfortunately they have big mouths.
Wherever you are in the world - try and watch the movie, take the message with you and see how your world changes! It takes balls to try and change a rigid mindset but if one does not take the step then how will this world be a better place?
My friends will read this and shake their heads, a few will nod with excitement and comment because they are as die hard as I am, my husband will probably think that this is another way for me to try and get Salman's attention (I once went outside his house and waved and jumped at his building in the hope he would see me..stalk much?!) and my one cousin who is an actual movie critic will probably not reach here as he would have stopped reading the minute I gave Sallu so much praise - although he did say that 'critics hate the film, but so what'? It is true, so what?
Bottom line is - Salman Khan is a good guy with a powerful medium and a powerful voice doing what he can to change the way we think and how we behave toward one another. What are you doing?
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