New Delhi: Salman Khan’s birthday post for filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, in which the two appeared almost unrecognisable, has sparked a debate on social media: Is it Ozempic or AI?
On Tuesday, Khan posted a picture of him feeding cake to Nadiadwala and penned a birthday wish for him on Instagram Stories.
“Happy Birthday Grandson… Looking forward to the poster reveal at 3:33pm,” the Story read.
The actor was referring to his upcoming film, Sikandar, backed by Nadiadwala’s banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. The project is helmed by director AR Murugadoss.
However, it was the photograph that became the talking point on social media, overshadowing the announcement.
While Khan looked relatively thin, Nadiadwala was unrecognisable in the picture. Fans expressed their worry, coming up with theories behind the transformation.
“This seems crazy, the last two posts from Salman Khan have been scary! I would certainly not want Salman bhai to use ozempic to lose a few extra ounces from his face. He looks superb all buffed up! Idk if the world is ready for this,” a Reddit post read.
Many said it was probably the “youth filter or faceapp”. Others called the picture “AI-generated”.
Apart from the weight loss, a fan pointed out how “veneers” are making Khan look strange.
Nadiadwala’s transformation didn’t go unnoticed, either. The audience, who were perplexed by the producer’s new look, compared him to Dolly Chaiwala.
“I was thinking why Salman is with Dolly chai wala…It is Sajid Nadiadwala…O my god,” a Reddit user wrote.
“Sajid Nadiawala is such a wannabe teen gurl. Man you literally have a film production house, what’s this frugal attitude of using AI for photoshop and Farhad Samji as director and scriptwriter? Cheapo,” wrote another.
Some even pulled out Nadiadwala’s pictures before the transformation to draw comparisons. “He used to look good for his age,” wrote the user.
The Ozempic theory
Khan and Nadiadwala aren’t the first to face scrutiny on social media over the alleged use of Ozempic.
There have been rumours suggesting that several celebrities, including Ram Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Kusha Kapila, and filmmaker Karan Johar, have used Ozempic for their dramatic weight loss.
One X user posted a video of Johar, apparently shot outside an airport, where he appeared noticeably thinner.
“Karan Johar, we need to talk. The Ozempic overdose, the designer torn outfits…this isn’t fashion, it’s a cry for help. Come back to normal before we start a GoFundMe for your recovery—don’t make us do it! Best, Concerned Citizen,” read the caption.
The rumours gained traction after Maheep Kapoor, on the show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, criticised people for using Ozempic for weight loss and causing a shortage for diabetic patients.
Johar, however, rubbished the claims via an Instagram Story.
“Oh lord!! Being healthy, eating well, and reinventing the wheel of your own nutrition! Aur Ozempic ko mile credit (And Ozempic gets the credit?). And Maheep Kapoor did you mean me??” read the Story.
Meanwhile, Ram Kapoor, who has openly discussed his weight loss journey, was also accused of using Ozempic or undergoing surgery.
The actor posted a video on Instagram. “Apparently, after all this news has gone viral, many people are coming to me, thinking I’ve used Ozempic, drugs, or surgery. First of all, there’s nothing wrong with that, but in less than 30 seconds, I want to prove that I have done nothing,” he said.
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Sikandar poster
The buzz around Khan’s upcoming film picked up only after the makers rolled out the poster—featuring the actor in an intense mood.
A sharp object is seen near his face, hinting at the actor deflecting an attack.
Sikandar On Eid#SajidNadiadwala’s #Sikandar
Directed by @ARMurugadoss
@iamRashmika @DOP_Tirru @ipritamofficial @Music_Santhosh @NGEMovies @WardaNadiadwala @ZeeMusicCompany @PenMovies #SikandarEid2025 pic.twitter.com/N3Wxh6EkOH
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) February 18, 2025
Sikandar is set to release in theatres on Eid 2025. The film also stars Kajal Aggarwal and Rashmika Mandanna. The plot is being kept under wraps.