Bollywood superstar Salman Khan experienced a rough patch in his career in the late 2000s, with a string of flops that raised questions about his future at the box office. However, everything changed in 2009 when he starred in Boney Kapoor’s ‘Wanted’, which proved to be a game-changer for him. The film not only brought Salman back into the spotlight but also marked the beginning of his journey to becoming one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars.
The story of how Boney Kapoor convinced Salman to take on this role is as interesting as the movie itself.
1. Boney Kapoor’s Determination to Cast Salman Khan in ‘Wanted’
In a recent episode of the dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11’, producer Boney Kapoor shared an inspiring anecdote about the making of ‘Wanted’. He revealed that it wasn’t easy to get Salman on board for the film, despite knowing that the project could potentially change the actor’s fortunes.
According to Boney Kapoor, he approached Salman Khan not once, but twice with the script of ‘Wanted’, but the actor was extremely busy at that time and couldn’t commit. Determined not to give up, Boney met Salman for the third time and delivered a powerful message: “If you don’t like this project, I won’t offer you any film again. Just come and watch this film.” This final pitch convinced Salman to at least give the project a serious look, and the rest is history.
2. The Impact of ‘Wanted’ on Salman Khan’s Career
‘Wanted’ was a crucial moment for Salman, as it came at a time when he needed a hit. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the film was a Hindi remake of the popular Telugu movie ‘Pokiri’ starring Mahesh Babu. It was a high-octane action drama that featured Salman in a new avatar, resonating with audiences who hadn’t seen him in such an intense role before.
The film was an instant hit, raking in approximately ₹95 crores worldwide. More importantly, it re-established Salman Khan as a bankable star. From that point onwards, Salman’s career saw an upward trajectory with blockbuster releases like ‘Dabangg’, ‘Bodyguard’, and ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, marking the beginning of his “superstar” era.
3. Boney Kapoor’s Belief in ‘Wanted’
What set ‘Wanted’ apart from other films at the time was Boney Kapoor’s unwavering confidence in the project. He revealed that he had been working on the film since 2007 and had always envisioned Salman Khan in the lead role. The producer had faith that this film would work wonders for both him and Salman, and his instincts turned out to be correct.
Boney’s persistence, combined with Salman’s eventual willingness to take a chance on the film, became a turning point not only for the actor’s career but also for Bollywood. The film’s success signaled a new era of action-packed masala movies that went on to dominate the box office for years to come.
4. Salman Khan’s Return with ‘Sikander’ After a Break
Fast forward to the present, Salman Khan is preparing for his next big release, ‘Sikander’, which is slated for an Eid 2025 release. After a disappointing run with ‘Tiger 3’, Salman has decided to take a break in 2024 to focus on this project. Much like ‘Wanted’, there’s hope that ‘Sikander’ will mark a significant comeback for him.
In the meantime, fans can look back at ‘Wanted’ as the film that saved Salman’s career, propelling him to heights few actors have reached in Bollywood.
