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Salman Khan is known for his macho characters and action-heavy films. Thanks to films like Dabangg, the superstar has established himself as an actor in action roles. Although he tried a few “soft” roles in recent times, those clearly did not work (we’re talking about Tubelight here) thus re-instating the fact that the audience loves watching Salman in macho roles. However, who would have thought the actor who plays such characters would play a man with HIV, who dies at the end?! Well, Salman Khan did that, and that too he signed the role for just Re 1.
This was way back in 2004, when the actor had just got out of his infamous and highly controversial break-up with actress Aishwarya Rai.
Salman Khan played HIV+ man in Abhishek Bachchan film
It was the 2004 film Phir Milenge which had Shilpa Shetty in the lead, with Abhishek Bachchan playing an important role in the film. What particularly surprised fans was Salman Khan’s role, who played Shilpa Shetty’s former lover. This role clearly went against his stereotypically ‘macho’ characters of the early 2000s since Salman essayed the role of an HIV-positive man who dies during the climax.
The producer of Phir Milenge, Shailendra Singh, in a recent social media post, revealed that Salman had consented to be a part of the film for only one rupee. He said, “At that time, and even now, Salman is one of the biggest youth icons. So imagine convincing Salman to do a film on AIDS when he is actually the Rambo and the Terminator and the Superman of India. The plot line for the lead actor is that he gets HIV and then he dies. The whole industry said no and that’s the day I called Salman Khan.”
He further added, “Salman dies in the climax due to HIV. Obviously his fans were not happy but the message of the film got across the nation.”
Salman features in an extended cameo in the film, wherein, Shilpa Shetty’s character is wrongfully terminated from her job for being HIV positive. Abhishek Bachchan is seen playing the role Shilpa’s lawyer in the film.
The detail was confirmed by Revathi in an earlier chat with Rediff. She said, “As for Salman, Shilpa spoke to him about this film. He then called me and said he wanted to be a part of it. After 10 minutes I called him and asked if he was serious. Did he really want to be part of this film? He said yes. He has done this film literally for free,” she said.
Salman Khan upcoming projects
Currently, on the work front, Salman Khan is shooting for his film with Rashmika Mandanna. The action drama titled Sikandar, was announced on Eid this year and is scheduled for release on Eid 2025. Recently a picture of the actor with Sikandar’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala had gone viral on the internet.
In the photo, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor was seen having a hearty chat with the producer on the sets as he resumed filming despite a rib injury. The film marks Salman Khan’s first time working with a South Indian director. The film is being helmed by renowned Tamil filmmaker AR Murugadoss.
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