‘But where did Salman ever go?’ – Industry reacts on Wanted success

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

September 23, 2009 - 3:27 PM IST

Wanted is a huge success already and made people stand up and acknowledge Salman Khan's superstardom all over again. One of the rare action films in recent times to enjoy huge critical as well as commercial acclaim, Wanted has now completed a trilogy of sorts for 'masala' films. After Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om and Aamir Khan's Ghajini, now Salman Khan has scored in a big way with Wanted which has got raw action-n-drama back in vogue.

‘But where did Salman ever go?’ – Industry reacts on Wanted success

So is Salman Khan back after a rather poor run with Yuvvraaj and God Tussi Great Ho? Industry doesn't quite believe so. Don't be shocked because as per practically each and every film personality that this writer reached out to, the verdict is common - 'Salman Khan was never gone in the first place. He was, is and always would be a superstar.'

[All listed in alphabetical order]

Abbas (of Abbas Mustan fame)- "He has always been a superstar. Also he can sense a good product from quite some distance. He had faith in Wanted and you have to see the way he went all out during last 45 days. He made sure that his fans and followers know what Wanted was all about and he is going to give them the kind of entertainment they were looking for. I am really happy for him."

Abhishek Kapoor - "Where did he go anyway? Salman is Salman, nothing like him!"

Arbaaz Khan - "Back from where? He didn't go anywhere!"

Celina Jaitly - "Salman has always been WANTED. He is the only actor who is the most beloved no matter what. And that's what you call true stardom!"

David Dhawan - "On Monday, you should have tried passing through the road where Salman lives. Taking your car down the road was a challenge in itself, courtesy thousands of people who had assembled near his house to wish him Eid and congratulate him for the success of Wanted. Need I say more?"

Eesha Koppikhar - "You are talking about Salman? Did he go anywhere? He is the quintessential superstar. Wanted is just yet another feather in his cap. Wishing him an 'eid mubarak' and congratulations. Looking forward to his next movie."

Himesh Reshammiya - "Salman Khan was a superstar, is a superstar and will always remain a superstar."

Imtiaz Ali - "Salman never went away. He was always there, and will be. For a long, long time. People will always love him."

Jackie Shroff - "Where did he ever go?"

Jacqueline Fernandes - "Salman never left. He's always been Wanted!"

Ken Ghosh - "Salman had never gone anywhere to be back! He has always had a loyal fan base!"

Madhavan - "Where did Salman go in the first place to be back? He has just climbed much higher."

Milan Luthria - "The charisma of the three Khans - Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir - has been such over last two decades that you can never ever under-estimate them. It shows with Wanted where Salman Khan announced loud and clear that this was a film audiences had to watch."

Minissha Lamba - "Salman was never gone. Wanted only proves that if there is a film that requires a raw action hero, it's only Salman who can make it work."

Neha Dhupia - "I have not seen the film but he looks very very promising in all the three films (Wanted, Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna, London Dreams). I have become a fan once again!"

Neil Nitin Mukesh - "A person needs to go to be back! He has just become even bigger, better and stronger!"

Pritam - "When did he go out to be back? He was, is and will be in mind and heart of everybody!"

Ramesh Taurani - "To use the word 'back' for Salman is totally wrong. In spite of hits and flops, Salman was, is and will always be a huge star. I am really happy for him that Wanted is a huge success. Wishing him many more super hits in the future!"

Riteish Deshmukh - "Salman is a huge star. He is beyond hits and flops."

Sajid Khan - "Back?? Where did he go? He was always here!"

Sanjay Gadhvi - "Where had he gone that he is considered to be back? Salman is the original 'RockStar'. With Wanted, he's just reaffirmed his status as a star who is one of the most popular with the masses."

Sanjay Gupta - "Where did he go? He was always rocking; if not the big screen then he rocked the small screen and continued to rule hearts. And in any case, Salman is the kind of star who's beyond hits and flops."

Sanjay Kapoor - "After Partner, he didn't work in too many films. One can sense when he is excited about a project. He had faith in Wanted and that showed in the way he went all out in promoting the film. Weekend collections as well as Monday have been huge. I am quite confident that Wanted would be the biggest success of Salman's career in recent times and would even cross Partner."

Sonu Sood - "I feel he was always there. May be right films didn't happen. With Wanted he has proved that he is loved by the masses. I am sure he will always rock!"

Suparn Verma - "Where did the superstar go in the first place? The last ten years plus we have had the three Khan superstars rocking our world. Salman was, is and always will be a superstar!"

Tusshar Kapoor - "He had never really gone really!"

Vashu Bhagnani - "As soon as I saw the film, I immediately called up Salman and told him that he had just beaten the competition around him. His lion like walk towards the film's pre-climax still gives me goose bumps. He has shown the world through some extensive marketing and promotion that how he can give a huge charge if he is really-really interested in a film of his."

Vikram Bhatt - "Salman Khan went nowhere!"

Vipul Shah - "The Top-5 actors that we have in the industry today - Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman, Akshay and Hrithik - are a force. They may get an occasional flop or two but if their upcoming film shows promise, audiences are bound to throng theaters in dozens. It doesn't matter for them if their much moved star has a flop behind him because curiosity of them seeing him in a good film supersedes everything else."

Vivek Agnihotri - "Back? From where? USA ? UK? Did he go anywhere? Is media immigration officer? I think he was always here and shall be there. Rocking. He is the true rockstar."

Zoya Akhtar - "I haven't seen Wanted so can't comment on the film. But as far as I am concerned, he never went anywhere to come back. He is a super star despite his films not because of them!"