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Last Updated: April 02, 2025, 11:04 IST
Chetan Bhagat Recalls Encountering Salman Khan While Selling Book Rights
Chetan Bhagat collaborated with Salman Khan on projects such as Hello and Kick. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
In a revealing interview, celebrated author Chetan Bhagat disclosed that despite Salman Khan’s overwhelming fame, the actor sometimes feels akin to a “monkey in the zoo.” This insight came as Bhagat reflected on their collaborative history, particularly during his visit to Khan’s residence at Galaxy Apartments in Bandstand, Mumbai, where he sought to sell the rights to his book, One Night at the Call Centre. This book ultimately led to the creation of the film Hello, directed by Khan’s brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri.
During his conversation with The Lallantop, Bhagat shared thoughts on Khan’s perception of his celebrity status. He noted that Salman possesses an extraordinary “sixth sense” for judging people, which prompted Bhagat to work with him shortly after their initial meeting. At that moment, Bhagat was contemplating a return to his banking career, but Khan encouraged him to consider a role in the film industry.
Looking back, Bhagat described his limited interactions with Khan during the filming of Hello. However, their relationship evolved positively during the production of Kick, where Bhagat spent time on set, enjoying conversations with the star. He expressed admiration for Salman’s candidness and straightforwardness in their interactions.
Bhagat recounted interactions from the promotional phase of Hello, where he asked the actor how it felt to be constantly surrounded by fans seeking photographs. Salman’s response was striking: “Mujhe aisa lagta hai jaise chidiyaghar mein bandar hota hai” (I feel like a monkey in a zoo), while acknowledging his deep appreciation for his fans.
Bhagat shared that the sentiment stuck with him, noting, “I’ve never forgotten this line. It happens to me on a much smaller scale, but when I feel overwhelmed at the airport, I remember Salman’s words, ‘Jis din yeh chala gaya sab chala gaya’ (the day this goes, everything will be gone).”
On the cinematic front, Salman Khan is currently enjoying positive reception for his latest action film, Sikandar, which features Rashmika Mandanna. The film’s release during the Eid holiday highlights an established tradition for Khan, as he often targets this festive period for his movie launches.
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