The buzz surrounding Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham Again’ is building up as fans eagerly await the return of Ajay Devgan as the fearless police officer Bajirao Singham. Scheduled for a Diwali release, the movie is already creating waves. While fans are excited about the action-packed entertainer, the rumors of Salman Khan making a cameo appearance have added an extra layer of excitement.
However, there’s more to Salman Khan’s connection with the Singham series than just a cameo. In a surprising revelation, it turns out that Rohit Shetty was inspired to create the Singham franchise after watching one of Salman’s iconic movies. Let’s delve into how Salman Khan and his movie played a significant role in shaping Rohit Shetty’s famous Cop Universe.
How Salman Khan’s ‘Wanted’ Inspired Rohit Shetty
The film that sparked the idea for Singham was none other than Salman Khan’s action hit ‘Wanted’. Released in 2009, ‘Wanted’ not only revived Salman’s career but also influenced filmmakers to explore the genre of mass action entertainers.
In an old interview, Rohit Shetty shared how he realized the potential of making mass action films after watching the audience’s reaction to ‘Wanted’. Rohit recalled visiting a multiplex, where he saw people clapping and cheering during Salman’s action scenes. At a time when romantic dramas were dominating Bollywood, ‘Wanted’ brought back the charm of traditional mass appeal action movies.
Rohit Shetty’s Take on the Changing Audience Taste
Rohit Shetty noted that in 2009, multiplexes were on the rise, and Bollywood was focused on romantic stories catering to the urban audience. However, when ‘Wanted’ was released, it broke that trend by delivering the kind of high-energy action film that hadn’t been seen in a while.
This change in audience reaction convinced Rohit Shetty that there was a demand for mass action entertainers even in urban multiplexes. Inspired by the overwhelming response to Salman Khan’s film, Rohit decided to step into the genre, leading to the creation of Singham in 2011. The film turned out to be a massive hit, grossing over ₹100 crore in India and marking the beginning of Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe.
The Success of Singham and its Sequel
Rohit Shetty’s gamble paid off when Singham became a superhit, turning Ajay Devgan into a formidable action hero with his portrayal of Bajirao Singham. Following the success of the first film, the sequel, Singham Returns was released in 2014. This movie also received immense love from the audience and collected ₹140 crore at the box office.
Now, with Singham Again gearing up for release, the expectations are even higher. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how Rohit Shetty has upped the ante with the action sequences and storyline.
Will Salman Khan Appear as Chulbul Pandey?
Adding to the excitement is the speculation that Salman Khan may appear as his iconic character Chulbul Pandey from the ‘Dabangg’ series in Singham Again. While this information hasn’t been officially confirmed, the possibility of a crossover between Chulbul Pandey and Bajirao Singham is enough to get fans excited.
Such a cameo would be a fitting tribute, considering Salman Khan’s indirect influence in creating the Cop Universe. Fans will have to wait until the film’s release to see if this rumored crossover happens, but the excitement surrounding it is palpable.
15 Years of ‘Wanted’ and Its Impact
Interestingly, this month marks 15 years since the release of ‘Wanted’, a film that not only changed Salman Khan’s career but also left a lasting impact on Bollywood’s action genre. Directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Boney Kapoor, the film starred Ayesha Takia, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Prakash Raj in key roles. It went on to collect ₹60 crore at the Indian box office, with a worldwide total of over ₹87 crore.
The success of ‘Wanted’ paved the way for many action-packed blockbusters in Bollywood, including the creation of Rohit Shetty’s Singham series. And now, 15 years later, Salman Khan’s indirect influence on the Cop Universe is still felt, especially as fans eagerly await his possible cameo in Singham Again.
