Chamatkar! Salman Khan is officially India’s Number One Feminist!
Sallubhai’s impassioned defence of Katrina Kaif (without naming her) while hosting the reality show Bigg Boss has seen innumerable jaws dropping in sheer disbelief. But then, doston, Bollywood ki duniya mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai. When a 60-year-old superstar, the idol of fans across two generations, rips off his tee in what looks like a well-choreographed, staged rage episode of Bigg Boss 20, heated debates are inevitable.
Salman’s shirts and tees have a life and will of their own. They tend to fly off his beefed-up body at well-timed moments, as salivating fans wait breathlessly for their hero to go topless… everyone walks away happy. This is what is lauded by producers and audiences as the ultimate “paisa vasool” Salman Khan money-shot thrill.
But last week’s drama came with several caveats and subtexts. It was a rant mainly aimed at trolls mocking his former (and most stable) lady love for showing up at the Ambanis’ Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations several kilos heavier than fans could stomach. Katrina Kaif is much, much more than her kilos, as admirers readily acknowledge. She is also a new mother who gave birth to her son Vihaan last November.
Clearly incensed by the trolling, Salman took it upon himself to become her loyal, ardent counsel, reminding the audience sternly, “Pregnant hone ke baad everyone puts on weight. Jab woh picture mein wapas aa jayengi, woh fit ho jayengi.” Katrina Kaif’s husband and the father of their son couldn’t have phrased it better. So far, Vicky Kaushal has not commented on the issue. Nor has Katrina Kaif.
Also Read: Katrina Kaif’s body is not a before-after photo. It happened to Aishwarya too
A knight in shining biceps
Salman Khan’s tirade went on to call out body shamers, haters and voyeuristic paps. His attack on the media was blunt and direct: he accused the paps of taking objectionable shots of hips, legs and other female body parts, which he argued upset heroines… and his niece. He advised girls to spin around and slap such offenders. “Apni maa-behen ka shot le lo. Disgusting people,” he said.
Phew! Chivalry, delivered Salman Khan style, was in overdrive as he continued his gussa — while oglers drooled over his bared, clean-shaven body and rippling muscles. This was high drama at its best. And nobody knew its impact more than the man flexing his biceps while staring menacingly into the camera.
This rates as one of Salman’s most convincing performances and deserves an award. Whether or not it was a publicity stunt generated to boost the ratings of his successful show remains a question mark. But as public acts of support for women’s causes go, it was an unparalleled PR triumph.
From villain to hero?
Is this the same Salman Khan whose track record vis-à-vis female co-stars and girlfriends has been anything but gallant? Bollywood’s perennial Bachelor Boy has hit headlines in the past over questionable conduct towards women, including allegations of physical and emotional abuse.
Who can overlook the most talked-about scandal of 2002-03 involving Aishwarya Rai, his co-star at the time?
Back then, Rai had uncharacteristically broken her silence to declare in a public statement that she would never work with Salman Khan again (she stuck to her resolve), calling the chapter with him “a nightmare” and citing his “alcoholism”, “misbehaviour” and “abuse (verbal, physical, emotional)”.
During their break-up there were reports of Salman’s disruptive and destructive acts, including turning up on her set and creating a scene. Salman brushed off her accusations, saying that if he’d hit someone in anger, they wouldn’t have survived.
A quarter of a century later, it’s heartening to note that the same man appears to have undergone a 180-degree change of heart. It’s possible. He called himself a “buddhaa” during the most recent outburst. At 60, Salman has seen life at its most complex and demanding.
Some of his old girlfriends continue to be a part of his zindagi and are treated like family (Sangeeta Bijlani). His current lady friend, according to rumours, is Romanian TV star Iulia Vantur, often spotted at intimate Khan functions. Katrina Kaif remains a close friend long after their romantic relationship ended in 2010, after they had been together for several years. Some of the other partners fell by the wayside and nobody remembers them.
Despite the volatility of his attitude toward women, Salman Khan is globally adored by millions of female fans. These are the illogical, hard-to-deconstruct paradoxes in the complicated lives of movie stars across the world.
Also Read: Pankaj Tripathi is more than a hero—wholesome, shudh sanskari and impossible to dislike
Chivalry at 60
Fans reserve an unconditional place in their hearts for men like Salman Khan. Today, he is being lavishly praised for being the only hero in showbiz to stand up for Katrina Kaif and admonish haters. This is a huge shift, and such a welcome one at that. At 60, Salman Khan is displaying a different, far more mature side to his earlier avatar.
Remember… this is the same Salman who, according to Vivek Oberoi, made 41 calls to him and issued death threats for interfering in his private matters. Oberoi paid a huge price for his candour during that infamous press conference when he stood up for Aishwarya Rai and condemned Salman Khan. What an irony that nobody hailed Vivek Oberoi for his guts and tameez at the time — he was virtually chased out of the film industry, thanks to Salman Khan’s clout.
Well, public memory is short indeed. After Salman’s “Weekend Ka Vaar” volcanic meltdown, he is the darling of the masses. A champion of women’s rights, defender of their modesty, protector of their pride. Well done, Bro.
It’s okay. You can put back your stripped-off tee. You bared your ripped body… and your soul. The maa-behens of India are deeply touched and thank you for the much-needed support. Bhai ho to aisa.
Shobhaa De is an author, columnist, social commentator, and opinion-shaper. She has written 20 books. She tweets @DeShobhaa. Views are personal.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)