An internet search recently identified everyone’s favourite Salman Khan as the “worst” Bollywood actor. This may be a sad piece of news for “Bhai’s” fans. And to others- mostly women- it would signal nothing exactly close to being heart-gushing or heart-melting. In fact, so sudden and utterly surprising is this outcome that to find Salman Khan’s name appearing in a Google search’s result can be read even as a no-brainer.
Why should this even happen, you wonder? But where the common byword of the man coming out of the theatre is concerned, having nearly molested his intelligence at having seen Race. 3, it’s not too hard to understand why such a thing may have happened.
It was only on the glitzy and optimistic June 15, 2018, that Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Race 3 was released in theatres. Was this going to be a mega blockbuster- fans would have wanted to know in desperation? After all, “Bhai” wasn’t alone in the flick as there were stars like Jaqueline and Bobby Deol around too.
Instead, a few hours from the release of a hyped Bollywood big budget offering, Salman Khan’s name appeared when the common search phrase in Google said, ” worst Bollywood actor.”
Not the kind of a turnaround that one may have expected. Fans, ever wishing for something palpable and boisterous from Salman Khan’s flick as are expectations from most other usual Salman Khan movies were found heads buried deep into their heads. They were lost and were distraught. It seemed the common social media expression of a “face-palm” seemingly summarised the movie.
In an age where movie reviews could be likened to Gospel Truths of a kind, it didn’t help further to see that most sane reviewers did not have a kind word to say about the latest Khan-release. Sallu Bhai fans, dumbstruck and distraught, at the outcome on Google, would surely need a shoulder to lean on and cry.
You have got to feel for them. For not always does a Salman movie actually go on to disappoint so much. We’ve seen the evergreen Bollywood hero gyrate his body to captivating rhythms and, moving song and drama sequences in flicks like Dabbang, Ready, Bodyguard and many others to deliver what have since then become super hits. In this light, the expectations of his fans from their mercurial hero have only been normal: on most usual Friday Salman Khan releases, the outcome is magical and the excitement, unreal.
Just that with Race 3, one may concede, there was always going to be that little bit of a risk. High-octane, everything on stake kind of action drama with chicks, cars, booze and, the money involved usually means a spine-breaking outing for two hours. Give it some interesting storyline and something actually ‘believable’ and you can be sure to be hitting the right chords with the audiences.
But even if the mightiest of Salman Khan supporter ventured excited into the movie hall and emerged lacklustre, he or she would not deny the familiar failings of a seemingly awkward Bollywood movie.
That said, it is indeed interesting and akin to a rude awakening of sorts to be found amongst the most popular and much-loved stars of the Indian film industry to have been extended a major olive branch of sorts.
We are usually accustomed of seeing fun and fanfare getting associated with the Bandra-boy, not uncustomary internet-bashing, isn’t it? But all that said, perhaps it could be submitted, that Salman and negative press haven’t really been at odds. The 52 year-old-actor was recently involved in the final leg of the blackbuck hunting controversy, that shook legions of his fans who were upset imagining the prospect of what was to be if Salman were to have gone to the jail.
In the past too, Salman has created a lot of unsavoury and loathsome experiences for himself and for others in lines with the carnage he created driving under the influence of alcohol. But among the latest unsavoury experiences- that of being the answer to Google’s worst Bollywood actor(s) is something that may not lead to a grin anytime soon.
But after having delivered highly watchable and enjoyable hits in the form of movies like Sultan and Tiger Zinda hai, in doing something cheesy and unpalatable like Race 3, one’s honestly disappointed with everyone’s much-loved Bhai of Bollywood. What can Salman possibly do in the near future- is a probe ruling curious minds in the aftermath of their “Race” experiences? Can Salman fight back and produce a stellar hit with his next outing? In it, one reckons, the best-possible way of giving it back.